Throughout history there has always been a struggle for power between absolute rulers and the people and somewhere in the middle they compromise at democracy. In the past the people have written documents to that limited the of the king and obtain their natural rights.
The Magna Carta became known as one of the first documents to ever degrade the power of a king. Following the Magna Carta came the Petition of Rights, this to limited the strength of the king. Succeeding the Petition of Rights, came the founding of the Bill of Rights. Without boundaries a ruler will abuse his power over the people. Therefore in order for a ruler to lead a democratic government he must have boundaries and regulations to abide by. The Magna Carta became the first stepping stone to a constitutional monarchy in England.
The need for this document came about when King John neglected the peoples rights. On June 15,1215, King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta. Thereby, when King John signed the Magna Carta his power demarcated and his authority lessened. The Magna Carta stated We have also granted to all free men of our realm, on the part of ourselves and our heirs forever; all the subjoined liberties, to have and to hold, to them and to the heirs, from us and from our heirs (Magna Carta sec1). This passage said that people have the right to liberty at all time and the king nor any other person could take that right away. The Magna Carta also dealt with the court and justice system.
It declared To none will we sell, to none deny or delay, right or justice (Magna Carta sec 40). It also pronounced if any on shall have been dissiezed by us, or removed, without a legal sentence of his peers, from his lands, castles, liberties or lawful right, we shall straight way restore them to him. (Magna Carta sec52). This document was only the first of three document to limit the kings power.
King Charles tried to rule as an absolute ruler, but he was unsuccessful in his attempt. Charles started to take advantage of his people by using force and unjust taxes. Parliament, unhappy with the conditions of the state deiced to do something about it. They wrote the Petition of Rights. this document unabled the king to proceed as he wished. This document states that Parliament has the right to dismiss themselves.
In other words that means the king can not tell Parliament they are finished and no longer have the power to do anything. Also Parliament would be called to session at least once every three years. Hence, the king would not be able to completely ignore Parliament and the voice of the people completely. Consequently limiting his power.
Another section declared that the people have the right to due process and all ancient taxes are abolished. By obtaining these rights and privileges the people are free to have there life, liberty, and property without a fear of losing any of these without due process. Lastly, the power of the king was limited by a third document, The Bill of Rights. Before William and Mary could become king and queen they were forced to sign the Bill of Rights. In order to persevere the right of the people, they wrote the Bill of Rights. It states that it is the right of the subjects to petition the king.
It also said that the freedom of speech and debuts or proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament. Therefore the king is not above the law and does not have the power to take away the peoples rights. Every where in the world people are struggling for power, it has happened before, it is happening now, and it will happen again. The absolute monarch will usually fall because the democratic side will have more people and separation of power. Therefore there more than one person to get rid of.Bibliography:
