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What is the rule of law (État de droit)?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: A system where the law is the same for all, including the State. The État de droit is a system where the law is the same for everyone, even the State. The law is above political authorities. It is the opposite of an arbitrary State.
Sources: Sheet “État de droit et séparation des pouvoirs : présentation de l’État de droit et principe de la séparation des pouvoirs” (French), read on 21 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✗ A system where only French citizens follow the lawUn système où seuls les citoyens français suivent la loiEveryone is subject to the same laws, not only French citizens.
- ✗ A system where the State may ignore the law when it wantsUn système où l’État peut ne pas respecter la loi quand il veutIn an État de droit, the law also applies to the State.
- ✓ A system where the law is the same for all, including the StateUn système où la loi est la même pour tous, y compris pour l’ÉtatCorrect answer. The État de droit is a system where the law is the same for everyone, even the State. The law is above political authorities. It is the opposite of an arbitrary State.
- ✗ A system where one person holds all of the power aloneUn système où une seule personne détient le pouvoirIn an État de droit, public authorities always respect the law. It is the opposite of an arbitrary State.
What the source says
« Un État de droit est un système dans lequel la loi est la même pour tous, y compris pour l’État. »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 21 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Qu’est-ce que l’État de droit ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question is on the official list for the resident card (CR) and on the naturalisation list (PDF read on 14 October 2026). The Ministry's wording: “Qu'est-ce que l'État de droit ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
All 50 “Institutions and politics” questions on the CR list
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