Rule of law and respect for rights

Rule of law means no person is above the law. Exam tip: remember the same law applies to leaders and citizens.

Rights give citizens a free and dignified life. Exam tip: treat rights as protection in democracy.

Rule of law means that every person, including the ruler, is subject to the law. If a ruler can violate the law at will, the law no longer applies equally to everyone; therefore, rule of law becomes weak. Independence of the judiciary concerns the impartial functioning of courts, whereas this question focuses on whether the ruler is bound by law. Exam tip: If a question stresses that rulers and citizens are equally subject to law, choose ‘rule of law’.

Speaking peacefully is part of citizens' rights. Exam tip: remember freedom of expression.

Equality before law means the same law applies to all. Exam tip: identify special exemption as wrong.

Arrest without reason weakens civil liberty. Exam tip: connect arrest with law and rights.

In a democracy, the law applies to the government as well as to citizens. Acting according to law limits arbitrary power and protects citizens’ rights, so option A is correct. Option C is incorrect because a democratic government is accountable to the Constitution, laws, and the people. Exam tip: rule of law means that no person or institution is above the law.

Rights protect ordinary citizens from government and other powers. Exam tip: connect rights with citizen protection.

Rule of law means that the law applies equally to all persons, including ordinary citizens and leaders. Therefore, an impartial investigation of a leader who commits an offence clearly shows rule of law. Exemption from legal action because of one’s position violates equality before the law. Exam tip: remember that no person is above the law under the rule of law.

Courts give citizens a way to protect rights. Exam tip: connect courts with rights protection.

Criticising government can be part of peaceful expression. Exam tip: connect criticism with democratic rights.

Rule of law means that citizens, officials and rulers alike are subject to the law. Therefore, “The ruler is above the law” violates this principle because it gives the ruler special legal exemption. The other statements support acting according to and within the law. Exam tip: Any statement that places a person or office above the law is contrary to rule of law.

In democracy majority power is also limited by rights and law. Exam tip: remember balance of majority and rights.

Getting a chance to present one's view is part of fair process. Exam tip: remember right to be heard.

Law compels government to work according to fixed rules. Exam tip: see arbitrariness as against rule of law.

Punishment without hearing is against fair process and rights. Exam tip: connect hearing with rights protection.

In a democracy, leaders, like all citizens, are subject to the law. This is the rule of law: holding office or having power does not give anyone exemption from the law. Option A is incorrect because being above the law violates democratic principles. Exam tip: remember that no one is above the law in a democracy.

Peaceful assembly is an important part of civil liberty. Exam tip: focus on the word peaceful.

Rights stop arbitrariness of government or powerful people. Exam tip: understand rights as a shield.

Rule of law restricts arbitrary government power. Rulers, ministers and public officials are also subject to law, so they cannot act only according to personal will. Accountability and protection of rights are strengthened by the rule of law; they are not the type of government being limited. Exam tip: connect “equality before law” with control over arbitrary power.