Difficulty: Hard

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Passage (from Charles de Montesquieu, The Spirit of the Laws, 1748):Political liberty exists only when there is no abuse of power. But all experience proves that every man with power is led to abuse it. . . . To prevent the abuse of power, things must be so ordered that power checks power.

Which principle is best justified by the excerpt?

Rationale

Constitutionalism is best justified by the excerpt.

The passage emphasizes the necessity of checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power, which is a fundamental aspect of constitutionalism. This principle advocates for a system of governance that limits governmental power and ensures that power is distributed among various branches, thereby protecting political liberty.

A (consent of the governed) YOUR ANSWER

While the consent of the governed is an important democratic principle, it primarily focuses on the authority of the government deriving from the people's approval. The excerpt does not specifically address the role of consent but instead highlights the inherent risks of power and the need for structural safeguards, which aligns more closely with constitutionalism.

B (constitutionalism) CORRECT

The excerpt explicitly argues that to prevent power abuse, mechanisms must be in place that allow power to check power. This directly supports the idea of constitutionalism, which advocates for a legal framework that limits governmental authority and protects individual liberties through a system of checks and balances.

C (natural rights) YOUR ANSWER

Natural rights pertain to the inherent rights individuals possess, such as life, liberty, and property. Although these rights are crucial for political liberty, the excerpt does not focus on individual rights but rather on the structural organization of power, making natural rights less relevant in this context.

D (equality) YOUR ANSWER

The principle of equality suggests that all individuals should have the same rights and opportunities. However, the passage does not address issues of equality directly; instead, it centers on the dynamics of power and governance, thus making equality an unsuitable choice for this particular excerpt.

Conclusion

The excerpt from Montesquieu underscores the importance of constitutionalism by illustrating the necessity of checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power. This principle serves to protect political liberty, ensuring that no single entity can dominate or misuse authority, which is vital for a fair and just society. The focus on the relationship between power and governance distinctly aligns with the tenets of constitutionalism rather than other principles like consent of the governed, natural rights, or equality.