Definition of 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 any government official is "above the law" and can overstep these constitutional bounds.
Here is a list of examples of how Limited Government is applied today
- The first three articles of the Constitution states limitations on the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches
- The rule of law is applied which basically means the no government or government officials are above the law (Constitution)
- The use of federalism divides power between the central government and local governments
Below are links to the bullets above click them to learn more
Limited Government over time...
Magna Carta (1215)
- One of the major things that came out from the creation of the magna carta was that its soul purpose was to LIMIT THE MONARCHIES POWER. This document was created by the people in protest for the King abusing his power. They forced him to sign the document not completely abolishing his power but limiting it. this was the first step taken by the people to limit the government in order to help the greater good this idea was highly excepted and would fuel many limitations to come.
- Click here to learn more about this specific point
Petition of Right (1628)
- During this time the king still had superior rule but with the establishment of the petition of right in 1628 two beneficial things came from this which can be seen applied to our government today. One example of this was the issuing that QUARTERING WAS BANNED. for those who dont know quarting is the act of soldiers having the right to enter an stay in your home. Along with this NO UNLAWFUL PUNISHMENT was added this meant the King or parliament couldn't wrongfully jail someone when they are guilty of nothing.
- Click here to learn more about these specific points
English Bill of Rights (1689)
- Now we move onto the English Bill of rights created in 1689. This document was a major influence to how america formulated its Bill of rights which is still in effect today. One major point though that came out of this document was the limiting factor on NOT HAVING A STANDING ARMY DURING PEACE TIME. This shows a great limitation of government preventing it from having to much militaristic control or possibly using it as a threat to the people.
- Click here to learn more about this specific point
Stamp Act Congress (1765)
- Soon came the Stamp acts which were taxation's on certain goods such as tea and animal hide this act was one of many which fueled americas anger to rebel. In anger agaisnt England the public gathered in protest and stated this famous slogan NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION. The goal of this was to limit the governments ability to abuse the tax system and unfairly tax the public. If anger was shown to the taxes no representation of the peoples thoughts were shown before parliament.
- Click here to learn more about this specific point
Second Continental Congress (1775)
- By now the America revolution had already begun and it was time to start thinking for the future if america was successful in the war. Thus came the formation of the second continental congress in which many things were discussed but one shows as a sign of what would be limited government. This was formation of a UNICAMERAL CONGRESS USED AS BOTH LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE. Although it may not seem like a form of limited government it was the beginnings of a system called separation of powers which is strongly used today as a form of dividing power and limiting government tyranny.
- Click here to learn more about this specific point
First State Constitutions (1776)
- Now that the nation was free and separate states were formed constitutions pertaining to those states needed to be created this can be seen as a form of Federalism but along with these constitutions came regulations which limited government power. Two things that came from some of these constitutions was NEW STATE GOVERNORS WERE GIVEN LITTLE POWER as well as OFFICE TERMS BEING SHORT. State governors were granted little power because the founding fathers wished to have a very weak and small central and local government so tyranny wouldn't prevail. adding the use of short office terms also limited the chance of someone remaining in office for long enough time to abuse the system for some wrong purpose.
- Click here to learn more about these specific points
Articles of Confederation (1781)
- Before the constitution we know today was created the first form of that was the articles of confederation in which limited government was the primary goal of this document. From this document things like the establishment of a FIRM LEAGUE OF FRIENDSHIP or how a 9/13 MAJORITY VOTE WAS NECESSARY TO PASS LAWS are major signs of how the founding fathers wished the create a small government. The league of friendships purpose was to prevent one central government controlling all the staes but allowing them to be independant but friend this system failed though as many states a strong central government was needed to support arising issues. the use of 9/13 vote was to allow the majority of staes to agree on something preventing something tyrannical from easily slipping through.
- Click here to learn more about these specific points
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise (1787)
- Now the government has reached level ground with only a few minor things to fix but with the introduction of the commerce and slave trade compromise issued that should have been addressed were pushed aside. One of these issues was the slave trade but from the compromise it was decided that CONGRESS COULDN'T ACT ON THE SLAVE TRADE FOR 20 YEARS. this limiting act placed on the government was something out of desperation. The founding fathers new slavery was wrong but felt the issue shouldn't be addressed as of then and therefore government was restricted to stop the issue but it would come back to haunt them in what would be the civil war.
- Click here to learn more about this specific point