单选题 The idea behind "the rule of law" is that it is laws based on logical reasons and clear thinking that should govern social life. "We live under a rule of law, not of men. "American teachers tell their students. The students accept the idea. They believe that" no man is above the law, "and that laws apply equally to all people" no matter how wealthy they are, what their personal connections are, or what their stations in life are. Their faith in the rule of law explains the belief many Americans held, and many foreigners could not understand, that President Richard Nixon should be removed from office as a result of his behavior in connection with what was called" Watergate Scandal (水门事件)". Nixon had broken the law and therefore should be punished, Americans believed, even if he was the President. The belief in the rule of law goes beyond the area of politics to other areas of life that are governed by formal rules and procedures. To get a job with government institutions, for example, or to get government funding for a research project, one must follow published procedures and show that one meets the published requirements. Personal connections are not supposed to matter under the rule of law. This is not to say that personal contacts, wealth, and social influence do not matter in situations where laws and rules are to be obeyed. They may, what is said above describes the ideal with which Americans agree. In reality, connections can sometimes help a person get a government job. Rich people can sometimes go unpunished for illegal behavior that poor people would be likely to be punished for. But in general the rule of law prevails, and Americans are proud that it does.

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】解析：本题为句意理解题。最后一段前两句的意思为“这并不是说个人关系，财富和社会影响在法律和法规要被遵守的地方不起作用。它们可能起作用，上面所说的情况描述了美国人同意的一种理想。”故可知，“they”指的是“个人关系，财富和社会影响”，故选B。