How did the English Declaration of Rights empower the people?

The English Declaration of Rights, adopted in 1689, played a crucial role in shaping the relationship between the government and its citizens by establishing a system of checks on power. This document was a response to abuses of power by the monarchy and served to limit royal authority, ensuring that the rights of individuals were upheld. It solidified the principle that the government must operate within a framework of laws designed to protect citizens' rights, thus preventing any single entity from wielding unchecked power.

By outlining specific rights and setting limitations on the powers of the monarchy, the Declaration reinforced the concept of constitutional monarchy. This allowed for a government that derived its legitimacy from the consent of the governed, ultimately empowering the people by affirming their entitlements and providing mechanisms for addressing grievances against authority. In this way, the Declaration played a significant role in the development of democratic principles and the protection of individual liberties.