Introduction
Limited government can be termed as a form of governance where anything more than minimal government intervention is not allowed. It is a system where there is minimal interference from government in personal liberties and the economy in general. The limits within which a government should interfere with personal liberties and the economy are stipulated in the constitution. This, therefore, makes its impossible for government agencies and institutions to exercise powers beyond the provisions of the constitution. In the United States of America, limited government is related to classical liberalism and free market libertarianism. Cotter (1995).
Checks and balances
In America one of the techniques used to ensure that there is a limited government is the use of check and balances. This functions where each branch of government is provided with certain checks that make certain other branches do not become too powerful. The legislative branch has the following checks over the executive; it can remove the president by summons. The senate has the powers to approve presidential appointments and treaties. Over the judicial branch, the legislature has the following checks; it can remove judges through impeachment. It also judges appointments and can create lower courts.
The executive branch has the power to carry out the laws. It has certain checks over the legislative branch. It has the powers to call special sessions of congress. The executive can as well appeal to the public concerning legislation and recommend legislation. Over the judiciary, the executive has the check where the president federal judges and those of the Supreme Court.
The judiciary has the power to interpret laws. It has certain checks over the executive. Judges that are appointed for life can not be controlled from the executive branch. Over the legislature, the judiciary can judge acts by the legislature to be unconstitutional. Lansford (2007).
Judicial review
Judicial reviews have also played a role in ensuring that America has a limited government. Such precedence was set in the landmark case of Marbury vs. Madison. The decision of the case established the right of the judiciary to term a law created by legislature to be unconstitutional. The decision by John Marshall who was the then chief justice of the Supreme Court allowed the judiciary to be at per with legislative and executive branch. In the United States of America, courts have the power to judge executive decisions as unconstitutional by the power of judicial review.
Bill of rights
The bill of rights is another tool that is used to regulate government powers. This is through principles that ensure fundamental rights in the most general terms. Such rights include the freedom of speech where even expression that is unpopular is protected from government censorship. The right to privacy also allows Americans to free of unwanted government intrusions into an individual’s private affairs and possession. The freedom of religion also exists where everyone has the right to any religion without any government compulsion or influence. American citizens also have the right to access due process of law. They also have the right to have equality before the law regardless of the social status.
Conclusion
The concept of limited government in a country is essential as it enables separation of powers. Any government branch that might have excessive powers may use the powers for the benefits of a few. It is for this reason that limited governments are the most effective for governance.
Reference:
Cotter (1995). “The Coherence of the Concept of Limited Government”. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 4 (2): 266–269
Lansford, Tom (2007). Political Systems of the World. Marvell Cavendish. 31-32.
