Limited Government -
The Constitution states that a government's power over its citizens has limitations. The governmental authority is prescribed, restricted, and limited by law or by the constitution. An individual’s rights and liberties are protected against governmental power even if that power is exercised in the name of a majority of people.
Examples of Limited Government:
1. The Constitution (September 17, 1787)
The Constitution of the United States is basically a document stating what the federal Government can and can not do. It severely limits the power of the Government and gives a lot of power and responsibility to local and state governments.
The Constitution of the United States is basically a document stating what the federal Government can and can not do. It severely limits the power of the Government and gives a lot of power and responsibility to local and state governments.
2. The Separation of Powers
The government is divided into three separate powers: Judicial, Legislative, and Executive. None of the branches of government has absolute control over another. This division of power limits the control government has and helps prevent total corruption.
The government is divided into three separate powers: Judicial, Legislative, and Executive. None of the branches of government has absolute control over another. This division of power limits the control government has and helps prevent total corruption.
3. The Bill of Rights (December 15, 1791)
The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first 10 amendments to the United State's Constitution. These limitations serve to protect personal right's and liberty for citizens. They guarantee a large number of personal freedoms.
The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first 10 amendments to the United State's Constitution. These limitations serve to protect personal right's and liberty for citizens. They guarantee a large number of personal freedoms.
How Has Limited Government Been Applied Over Time?
1. The Magna Carta protected citizens from the arbitrary taking of life, liberty, and property.
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2. The Petition of Right -
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3. The English Bill of Rights-
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4. The First State Constitutions-
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5. The Articles of Confederation-
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6. The Articles of Confederation also established no executive or judicial branch, these duties were handled by committees of Congress.
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7. The Articles of Confederation also limited many powers of Congress, such as the ability to raise taxes.
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8. The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise forbade Congress from taxing the exports of any goods from States.
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9. The Compromise also restricted Congress from acting on the slave trade for a period of at least 20 years.
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10. Government also couldn’t interfere with the
migration of “such persons as any State now existing shall think proper to
admit.”
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