Rule of Law | iCivics (2024)

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Lesson Plan

Students learn about the rule of law and how it protects individual rights and freedoms. By performing short, scripted skits that illustrate what life might be like without the rule of law, students identify six factors that make up the rule of law and analyze how each factor affects daily life. Students then make connections between the rule of law and America’s founding documents and think about the relationship between the rule of law factors.

Pedagogy Tags

  • Group Work
  • Primary Source
  • Roleplay

Teacher Resources

Get access to lesson plans, teacher guides, student handouts, and other teaching materials.

Rule of Law | iCivics (13)

Rule of Law | iCivics (14)

Rule of Law | iCivics (15)

Resources

  • Rule of Law_Lesson Plan.pdf
  • Rule of Law_StudentDocs.pdf

Rule of Law | iCivics (16)

I find the materials so engaging, relevant, and easy to understand – I now use iCivics as a central resource, and use the textbook as a supplemental tool. The games are invaluable for applying the concepts we learn in class. My seniors LOVE iCivics.

Lynna Landry , AP US History & Government / Economics Teacher and Department Chair, California

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Rule of Law | iCivics (2024)

FAQs

What is the rule of law answers? ›

Rule of law is a principle under which all persons, institutions, and entities are accountable to laws that are: Publicly promulgated. Equally enforced. Independently adjudicated.

What are the 4 rules of law? ›

The rule of law is a durable system of laws, institutions, norms, and community commitment that delivers four universal principles: accountability, just law, open government, and accessible and impartial justice. Accountability The government as well as private actors are accountable under the law.

What is the 3 rule of law? ›

Accountability: the government and its officials and agents are accountable under the law. Just Law: the law is clear, publicized, and stable, and is applied evenly. It ensures human rights as well as properly, contract, and procedural rights. Open Government: the processes enforced are accessible, fair, and efficient.

What is the rule of law quizlet? ›

Rule of law. The idea that those who govern must follow the laws; no one is above the law.

What is rule by law in simple terms? ›

What is Rule by Law? In contrast, Rule by Law is a concept that sees the governing authority as somehow being above the law, and has the power to create and execute law where they find it to be convenient, despite the effect it has on larger freedoms that people enjoy.

Why is the rule of law so important? ›

Adherence to the rule of law helps to preserve the rights of all people in a democratic society; the operative words being "the rights of ALL people." As reflected in our Declaration of Independence, in the Preamble to our Constitution, and in the immortal words of Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg: in the United States, ...

Who is above the law? ›

The core of the rule of law is that no one — not even a president or a former president — is above the law.

What are the 4 factors of the rule of law? ›

according to their methodology, the systems upholding the rule of law comprise four universal principles: 1) the government as well as private actors are accountable under the law; 2) the laws are clear, publicized, stable and just; are applied evenly; and protect fundamental rights, including the security of persons, ...

What is the 3 rule example? ›

For example, the speech "Non-Violence and Racial Justice" contained a binary opposition made up of the rule of three: "insult, injustice and exploitation", followed a few lines later by "justice, good will, and brotherhood".

What is an example of rule of law? ›

One example of a rule of law would consist of a member of Congress being censured for breaking the law. This would demonstrate accountability and show that no one is above the law.

What is the rule explanation in law? ›

In other words, the rule explanation is where we use case law “to define, explain, and exemplify” the legal rule that determines the outcome of the client's problem or dispute.

Who makes federal laws? ›

Congress is the lawmaking branch of the federal government. Learn how a bill becomes a law and how the process is different in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.

What is the best definition for rule of law *? ›

Many countries throughout the world strive to uphold the rule of law where no one is above the law, everyone is treated equally under the law, everyone is held accountable to the same laws, there are clear and fair processes for enforcing laws, there is an independent judiciary, and human rights are guaranteed for all.

What are answers in law? ›

An answer is a reply to a question or a solution to a problem. In law, an answer refers to a defendant's first formal written statement to a plaintiff's initial petition or complaint. This opening written statement will admit or deny the allegations, or demand more information about the claims of wrongdoing.

What is rule of law in a short sentence? ›

We urge all parties involved to respect constitutional order and the rule of law. Of course the rule of law must be upheld. The independence of the judiciary is at the heart of the rule of law. An efficient economy requires the rule of law, transparency and enforceable property rights.

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