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The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests. - Patrick Henry

Which principle of the U.S. Constitution is reflected in this quote by Patrick Henry?

a) Federalism
b) Republicanism
c) Individual Rights
d) Limited Government

User Lamonte
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The quote by Patrick Henry emphasizes the principle of Limited Government, reflecting the intent of the U.S. Constitution to constrain governmental power and protect individual liberties, as seen in the Bill of Rights. The correct option is D.

Step-by-step explanation:

The quote by Patrick Henry reflects the principle of Limited Government. The Constitution of the United States was designed to prevent the federal government from becoming too powerful and to protect individual liberties and freedoms.

Henry emphasizes that the Constitution is there to restrain the government rather than the people. This is aligned with the philosophy that the government should not have unlimited power over its citizens, and it should be constrained to protect individual rights and freedoms.

Thus, the U.S. Constitution embodies the principles of constitutionalism to ensure a careful balance between government authority and individual freedom. The Bill of Rights, which outlines specific prohibitions on governmental power, further enforces this principle by restricting the government's abilities to infringe upon individual liberties.

User Duslabo
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