What is the theory that governmental powers should be limited so that government doesn't become all powerful?

Question

It has to do with government.

Answer 1

Hello, thank you for taking the time to post your question!

Typically you see it referred to as being “limited government” … the main principles it entails are things like checks and balances (meaning that each branch of government has the authority to check the power of the other branches), separation of powers (responsibilities are divided into distinct branches like legislative, executive, and judicial), and then constitutionalism (meaning that the government’s power is restricted by a constitution or other similar governing documents).

I hope that helps get you moving in the right direction! Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions beyond that :)

Answer 2

Hi Kelsey:

 

It sounds like you may be talking about the Social Contract Theory, or the Social Compact, which was a political philosophy originally described by Plato that was famously revisited by the "Age of Enlightenment" philosophers of 17th century, including Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.