Limited Government
Limited Government: Because the people are the source of government power, the government has only as much authority as the people give it. Much of the Constitution, in fact, consists of specific limitations on government power. Limited government means that neither the government itself nor that government official is "above the law" and can overstep these constitutional bonds.
Examples of How Limited Government is applied:
- The Bill of Rights
- The System of Checks and Balances
- The Idea of Popular Sovereignty
How has Limited Government been applied over time?
Magna Carta (1215)
- The Magna Carta limited the English government overall which before this time was unheard of.
Petition of Right (1628)
- The petition of right banned quartering of soldiers during peacetime
- The petition of right also added that the King could not unlawfully punish citizens
English Bill of Rights (1689)
- This document made it that the government could not have a standing army during peacetime.
Stamp Act Congress (1765)
- Most likely the most famous form of limited government no taxation without representation came from this document
First State Constitutions (varies)
- Governors in each state for the most part where given very little power
- Governors also had very short terms in office
Articles of Confederation (1781)
- The Articles of Confederation suggested a "Firm League of Friendship" between states
- this document also made an majority vote necessary to pass laws
The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise (1787)
- Congress could not interfere with slave trade for 20 years