How did the founding fathers view the concept of limited government?

The Founding Fathers viewed the concept of limited government as a crucial aspect of American democracy. They believed that a government with unrestricted power could easily become tyrannical, infringe upon individual rights, and lead to corruption. To prevent this, they designed a system with checks and balances, a separation of powers, and a Bill of Rights that protected the individual liberties of citizens.

Many of the Founding Fathers, like James Madison, argued that a limited government was necessary to establish and maintain a free society. They believed that the government should have clearly defined and limited powers that were strictly enforced. This allowed for the protection of individual rights without undermining the democratic process.

Others like Thomas Jefferson believed in a more radical form of limited government, where the government's power was minimized to only essential tasks like national defense and domestic tranquility. Jefferson's vision was based on the belief that government intervention in the affairs of citizens often led to corruption and abuse of power.

The Founding Fathers recognized that balancing individual freedom and government power was a difficult task, but they believed that a limited government was necessary to ensure liberty and self-government. Today, the concept of limited government continues to play a vital role in American politics and the preservation of individual liberties.