Limited government: Difference between revisions
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'''Limited government''' is a [[government]] structure where its functions and powers are prescribed, limited, and restricted by [[law]], usually in a written [[constitution]]. |
'''Limited government''' is a [[government]] structure where its functions and powers are prescribed, limited, and restricted by [[law]], usually in a written [[constitution]]. Related concepts are [[libertarianism]] and [[laissez faire]] economics. |
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"Small government" is a government structure that chooses to vest most of its power in smaller groups, such as [[private enterprise]] and its own citizens. Another term used to describe this type of rule is [[minarchism]]. |
"Small government" is a government structure that chooses to vest most of its power in smaller groups, such as [[private enterprise]] and its own citizens. Another term used to describe this type of rule is [[minarchism]]. |
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This contrasts strongly with government in [[UK|Britain]], where government is limited by nothing more than convention. |
This contrasts strongly with government in [[UK|Britain]], where government is limited by nothing more than convention. |
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Difference may be attributed to different conceptualizations of sovereignty. In the United States, sovereignty is thought to rest with the people; although one could argue that the Constitution is sovereign in its own right, the Constitution has legal force primarily because of its ratification by the people; closer to the people (a key concept of limited government, as discussed in [[Tocqueville]]'s ''[[Democracy in America]]''), and even if they succeed in that endeavour, their power is very different from the thought process that lead to the hierarchical model of government in the US. Devolution involves ''giving'' power to sub-entities closer to the people; this implies that the power is government's to give to people in the first place; in America, power is ''given'' to the government by the people. See also [[George Lakoff|Lakoff]]'s ''[[Moral Politics]]'' for more discussion on how conceptual systems can determine (or at least strongly affect) perception. |
Difference may be attributed to different conceptualizations of sovereignty. In the United States, sovereignty is thought to rest with the people; although one could argue that the Constitution is sovereign in its own right, the Constitution has legal force primarily because of its ratification by the people; closer to the people (a key concept of limited government, as discussed in [[Tocqueville]]'s ''[[Democracy in America]]''), and even if they succeed in that endeavour, their power is very different from the thought process that lead to the hierarchical model of government in the US. Devolution involves ''giving'' power to sub-entities closer to the people; this implies that the power is government's to give to people in the first place; in America, power is ''given'' to the government by the people. See also [[George Lakoff|Lakoff]]'s ''[[Moral Politics]]'' for more discussion on how conceptual systems can determine (or at least strongly affect) perception. |
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==External Links== |
==External Links== |
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Revision as of 18:33, 18 July 2007
Limited government is a government structure where its functions and powers are prescribed, limited, and restricted by law, usually in a written constitution. Related concepts are libertarianism and laissez faire economics.
"Small government" is a government structure that chooses to vest most of its power in smaller groups, such as private enterprise and its own citizens. Another term used to describe this type of rule is minarchism.
These terms have no legal status anywhere at this time and were coined for political and ideological reasons in response to "big government" - government involving excessive bureaucracy.
Contrast of US and UK sovereignty
This contrasts strongly with government in Britain, where government is limited by nothing more than convention.
Difference may be attributed to different conceptualizations of sovereignty. In the United States, sovereignty is thought to rest with the people; although one could argue that the Constitution is sovereign in its own right, the Constitution has legal force primarily because of its ratification by the people; closer to the people (a key concept of limited government, as discussed in Tocqueville's Democracy in America), and even if they succeed in that endeavour, their power is very different from the thought process that lead to the hierarchical model of government in the US. Devolution involves giving power to sub-entities closer to the people; this implies that the power is government's to give to people in the first place; in America, power is given to the government by the people. See also Lakoff's Moral Politics for more discussion on how conceptual systems can determine (or at least strongly affect) perception.
External Links
Groups Advocating Limited Government Reform