The Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights were significant influences on United States constitutional development because they "(2) placed limits on the powers of the <span>government"</span>
The Magna Carta (1215) was a charter of rights that aimed to establish a more powerful parliament, to reduce the power of King John whose rule was perceived as abusive and to grant some liberties of free men such as the right to a trial by jury before punishment. Under this new charter, the King became subject to the law for the first time in England and the King had to get the approval of the Parliament before imposing certain taxes, for example.
Similarly, the English Bill of Rights (1689) also sought to place more limits on the powers of the crown, for example, it prevented the government from acting as a judge and establish new courts, from creating new taxes and setting aside laws without the Parliament's approval and from limiting the freedom of election of the Parliament's members. This charter also granted more rights to citizens like the right to petition the king.
One of the most significant changes that Gorbachev made to the Soviet economy was that he was the first leader to really try to ease the planned economy and let some market forces in.
