Limited and Unlimited Government
Enduring Understanding: The relationship between citizens and their government is a
fundamental component of political rule. To understand the role of constitutions, the
characteristics of shared powers, the protection of individual rights, and the promotion of the
common good by government, you will analyze the characteristics of limited government and
unlimited government that evolved in Europe in the 1600s and 1700s.
There are major differences between a
limited and unlimited government. In a
limited government there are restraints
placed upon the power and authority of
government. Citizens are given individual
rights and can participate in government
decisions. However, in an unlimited
government there is virtually no ability to
limit the actions of the government.
Individual rights and freedoms are
restricted and citizens are expected to display total obedience to the government as the ruler or rulers
make all decisions. This leads to the government becoming authoritarian or tyrannical, which
means that the ruler abuses their power.
Absolute monarchies existed in Europe in the 1600s and 1700s. Absolute monarchies, kings or
queens with unlimited power, had no restrictions placed upon them. These monarchies based their
power on the idea of “divine right,” or the idea that their power came directly from God. Decisions
made by the rulers were therefore not questioned by the citizens because the church was at the
center of everyday life.
Section Review:
1) What are the major differences between limited and unlimited governments?
2) What is divine right?
France and Russia were two nations that had unlimited governments during
this time. Both created an absolutist system that concentrated power in the
hands of the monarch. Rights and freedoms were severely limited for the
people and the few which did exist could be cast aside through the actions
of the monarch. Three common ways that France and Russia displayed
unlimited authority were in raising taxes, dissolving the legislative body (the
part of government that makes the laws), and using the military to enforce
its policies.
Section Review:
3) What is an absolutist system?
4) How did France and Russia display unlimited authority?
After King John of England was forced to sign the Magna Carta
(Great Charter) in 1215 that acknowledged the king was no
longer above the law, changes began to take place in
government structures throughout much of Europe. These
changes began to restrain the power of government and create
a structure that was limited in nature leading to more
rights/freedoms for the citizens.
King John Signing the Magna Carta
The signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 introduced the idea of
limited government in England. England’s constitution would later
be built upon by the English Bill of Rights signed in 1689 as well as
court cases and traditions that would follow. The ways European
governments began changing from unlimited to limited government
included: constitutionalism and the creation of constitutional
monarchies that incorporated constitutions into an existing
monarch; democracy which granted people authority in the
running of government; and separation of powers which
distributed the legislative, executive, and judicial powers to
several government bodies rather than allowing the concentration of these powers into one body or
person.
Section Review:
5) Why was the signing of the Magna Carta important?
6) How would separation of powers limit government?
7) What are the three branches of government?
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