What is the principle that government powers are limited by laws such as a constitution?

• A. Limited government
• B. Rule of law
• C. Federalism
• D. Popular sovereignty

Answer: (A)

Power of government is limited by a constitution. This is the idea of limited government: a higher law sets the rules and boundaries for what leaders and agencies can do, protecting people’s rights and preventing abuse of power. The constitution also creates checks and balances so no single branch can dominate.

The rule of law is related in that everyone, including those in power, must follow the laws, but the phrase here focuses specifically on government power being restricted by a constitutional framework, which is the clearest way to describe limited government. Federalism is about dividing power between national and state levels, and popular sovereignty is the principle that the people hold ultimate authority. These describe other features of government, not the direct limit on authority established by the constitution.