Write 200–250 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.
More than 20 years ago, the terrorist attacks of September 11 changed America forever. After the attacks, President George W. Bush said that although terrorist attacks could damage buildings, they could not break the foundation of America. Many people believe that this foundation is the rule of law. Since then, the United States has faced challenges such as national security concerns, privacy issues, debates about freedom of speech, and struggles for racial justice
These challenges have tested the strength of the rule of law. Understanding the rule of law is the first step to determining how the law and legal systems shape democracy.
Watch the following video for this discussion to understand the rule of law: The Rule of Law: Civics Basics.
After watching the video, write 200–250 words reflecting on the following:
- The United States is known as a country of laws, not of men. What does this mean, and why is the rule of law important for the system of government? Explain your reasoning.
- Think about the ways the rule of law influences your daily life. Do you think the law protects everyone equally today, especially regarding freedoms such as privacy, speech, and equality and when national security is a concern? Why or why not? Give examples from recent events.