The English Bill of Rights contributed to American governance by endorsing which idea about government power?

• A. Government should operate under limited powers
• B. Government should be controlled by a single ruler
• C. Government should exercise powers without check
• D. Government should derive authority from force

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is that government power should be limited by law and by constitutional constraints. The English Bill of Rights established that the monarchy’s authority was not unlimited: taxes and laws required Parliament’s consent, a standing army needed parliamentary approval, and subjects enjoyed certain rights and protections. This emphasis on restraint and rule by law helped shape American thinking about governance, reinforcing the principle that authority arises from the people and operates within defined limits rather than through force or absolute rule. That’s why the best choice is that government should operate under limited powers.