Question 17
Germany is a constitutional state governed by the rule of law. What does this mean?
German original: Deutschland ist ein Rechtsstaat. Was ist damit gemeint?. In the test, all questions are asked in German.
Answer options
- All residents and the state must comply with the law. — Correct answer
- The state does not have to follow the law.
- Only Germans have to obey the laws.
- The courts make the laws.
Explanation
A constitutional state (Rechtsstaat) means everyone, citizens and state alike, must follow the law. No one is above the law, and independent courts ensure compliance. The state cannot act arbitrarily.
Key terms in this question
- Germany — Germany is a country in central Europe with a parliamentary democracy. It is a member of the European Union and its capital is Berlin.
- State — A state is an organized community with a defined territory, a population, and a government that creates and enforces laws.
- law / right — A rule established by the state that applies to everyone in a country. It can also mean a personal entitlement or freedom that a person is guaranteed.
- Federal state — A federal state is one of the 16 regions that together form Germany. Each state has its own government, parliament, and areas of responsibility.
- Rule of law / constitutional state — A constitutional state is a state in which all people, including the government, are bound by laws and no one is above them. Fundamental rights are protected by independent courts.
- so that / with it — 'Damit' is used as a conjunction to express purpose or intention (e.g. 'I study so that I pass the exam'). It can also be used as a pronoun meaning 'with it' or 'with that'.'
- so that / with that — A conjunction or adverb used to express purpose or intent. It connects two clauses to show why something is done (e.g., 'He studies so that he can pass.').
- German — German is the official language of Germany, Austria, and part of Switzerland. It is the native language of approximately 100 million people.