26. Which of the following principles was established by the English Bill of Rights (1689)?
Answer: D
The privilege to petition the government without fear of retribution
The English Bill of Rights (1689) established the principle that individuals have the right to petition the government without fear of punishment. This was a significant development in promoting the rights of citizens and limiting the powers of the monarchy.
A) the unrestricted authority of the king to suspend laws
This option is incorrect as the English Bill of Rights aimed to limit the powers of the monarchy rather than provide the king with unrestricted authority. The document explicitly sought to restrict the monarch's ability to suspend laws unilaterally, emphasizing the need for parliamentary consent.
B) the monarch could levy taxes without Parliament's consent
This choice is also incorrect. The English Bill of Rights reinforced the principle that the monarch could not impose taxes without the approval of Parliament, thus ensuring that taxation was subject to legislative oversight rather than unilateral royal decree.
C) the establishment of a state religion to enforce the monarchy
This option is incorrect as well. The English Bill of Rights did not establish a state religion but rather affirmed the principle of religious tolerance and the right of individuals to worship freely, which was a departure from the monarchy's previous attempts to enforce religious conformity.
D) the privilege to petition the government without fear of retribution
This option is correct and reflects one of the key principles established by the English Bill of Rights. By safeguarding the right to petition, the Bill reinforced the notion that citizens could express grievances and seek redress without fear of government retaliation, thereby promoting accountability and democracy.
Conclusion
The correct answer, the privilege to petition the government without fear of retribution, underscores the Bill of Rights' commitment to protecting individual rights against arbitrary state power. In contrast, all other options misrepresent the principles established by the Bill, which aimed to limit monarchic authority and enhance the rights of individuals in relation to their government.