How did the magna carta increase democracy in England?

Answer 1

Perhaps the Magna Carta's main contribution to democracy was that it was the first document in English history to limit the power of the monarch. Until then, there had been a belief that the monarch was the absolute ruler and therefore could do whatever they pleased. The Magna Carta forced the king to accept that there should be some laws that even the monarchy had to obey. This established the principle of the rule of law, meaning that law itself should be the absolute ruler, not kings and queens (or, later in history, governments and parliaments). The rule of law established certain rights for all people, such as the right to a fair trial. Over the years these rights have been expanded in ways that are discussed in other chapters in this unit.

In John's time there was no parliament. Because the Magna Carta established the council of 25 barons whom the king was supposed to consult on matters that were important to the country, some people also believe it sowed the seed for parliamentary democracy in England. Even though John was not required to take the barons' advice, this did mark the beginning of the power being shared by more people. The running of the state was now the concern of a group rather than an individual.