Limited Government
Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 12.2.4
Limited Government
The idea of limited government is one of the key principles of a liberal democracy and was important to the Founding Fathers, who believed that too much power in the hands of one person or group was dangerous.
How the government is limited
- The separation of powers and the system of checks and balances were put in place to restrict the power of the federal government.
- The codification and entrenchment of the Constitution prevents the government from imposing its will on citizens.
- The addition of the Bill of Rights also limited the power of the government by protecting the rights of individuals and the states.
Is it effective? Yes
- The Supreme Court has often struck down legislation on the basis that it imposes on the rights of citizens as set out in the Bill of Rights.
- Checks and balances and divided government have often prevented or diluted social reforms by the Democrats that would expand the powers of the federal government.
Is it effective? No
- Conservatives and libertarians argue that the government has become too large as it has expanded its role in economic and social policy.
- They want to limit the government's role in these areas, especially welfare programmes.
- Many also argue that the federal government has grown too large and has more power over the states than the Founding Fathers originally intended.
Test yourself on Limited Government
Which groups wish to reduce the size of the government?