Question

constitutionalism is best defined as:
○ government following the will of the majority at all times
○ government acting under a higher law, the constitution
○ government enforcing state laws
○ courts creating laws directly
question 2
the bill of rights was originally intended to limit the power of:
○ the people
○ state governments
○ courts
○ the federal government

Explanation:

Question 1 (Constitutionalism definition)

To determine the best definition of constitutionalism, we analyze each option:

• "Government following the will of the majority at all times" is incorrect as constitutionalism is about adherence to the Constitution, not just majority will.
• "Government acting under a higher law, the Constitution" aligns with the concept of constitutionalism, where government power is limited by the Constitution.
• "Government enforcing state laws" is too narrow and not the core of constitutionalism.
• "Courts creating laws directly" is incorrect as courts interpret laws, not create them directly in the context of constitutionalism.

To determine what the Bill of Rights originally intended to limit:

• "The people" is incorrect as the Bill of Rights protects people's rights, not limit them.
• "State governments" is incorrect because initially, the Bill of Rights applied to the federal government; later amendments applied it to states.
• "Courts" is incorrect as the Bill of Rights is not primarily about limiting courts.
• "The federal government" is correct. The Bill of Rights was originally intended to limit the power of the federal government to protect individual liberties.

Answer:

B. Government acting under a higher law, the Constitution

Question 2 (Bill of Rights' original intent)