What does it mean that the U.S. Constitution is a Constitution of limited powers?

Answer 1

The very fact that there is a written Constitution defining the government and its powers, it is a system of limited government. It further limits the powers of three organs of the State and lays down how the Congress has a check on the appointment of Supreme Court Judges and the President. The President exercises enormous powers but many are subject to ratification by the Senate. The Supreme Court with its power of Judicial Review can review the actions of the President as well as the Congress. So, it is an in built system of checks and balances so that none of the three organs become more powerful than the other two.

Answer 2

The powers of the three organs of the State, such as the Congress, The President and the US Supreme Court are all limited by each other. There is a check and balance to the powers of these three organs of the State so that none of them can become powerful enough to endanger the governance under the Constitution. Each organ has limited power, limited by the written provisions of the Constitution which is supreme law of the land. Therefore, it is called a Constitution of limited powers.

Answer 3

There can be no constitution of unlimited or absolute powers !!

unlimited powers/absolute powers can only be wielded by Absolute Monarchs/Tyrants/Dictators/Military Junta etc.,etc.,

US Constitutions in order to uphold the

1) freedom of the individual is framed on Montesquieu's Theory of Separation of Powers to keep the exercise of Legislative, Executive and Judicial powers in different Constitutional Bodies so that no single Constitutional Authority becomes a danger to the individuals Liberty. To guarantee the same there is a system of "Checks and Balances" by which each constitutional authority keeps a check on the other two to maintain a balance of power among the three.

2. Limitation on the Federal Government were also required to guarantee the independent identity of the States and equality among them in the federation - specially the small and relatively weak states. The limitation are a) Division of powers with the enumerated powers belonging to the Federal Government and the residuary powers to the States. b) Amendment of the constitution requires the approval of three-fourths of the total states. c) States retained the freedom to frame their own constitution.

Every constitution has some limitations or the other placed on those who are vested with the powers of ruling to ensure freedom, liberty and justice for the common people.

Answer 4

It is supposed to limit the powers of any one man or majority so that the essence of the constitution always survives the whims of popular opinion. The method is called checks and balances, but it depends on a majority not being able to grab hold of the judicial branch, which unfortunately is what happened and allowed for the first president appointed by the Supreme Court; George W. Bush in 2000.

Answer 5

It means that the Constitution is supposed to limit the power of the federal government over the individual states and the people of the nation.

Answer 6

The US constitution has limited powers because the President, Congress, Supreme Court and even the people can do what is right for the country through customary acceptable principles just like making, executing and interpretation of laws.

Answer 7

The Constitution puts limits on the powers of govts. Ex: The govt is not allowed to constrain free speech.

Answer 8

It means that the federal government operates on "islands of power" surrounded by a "sea of rights." The powers that the federal government are authorized to exercise are few and enumerated. It cannot exercise powers not expressly or impliedly provided for by the Cosntitution.