In a government with limited powers, which documents most commonly establish those limits?

In a government with limited powers, constitutions are the foundational documents that explicitly outline the scope and extent of governmental authority. They serve to establish the framework for governance, including the distribution of powers among different branches of government and the rights of citizens. Constitutions are essential because they not only define what the government can and cannot do but also provide mechanisms for accountability, thereby protecting against the abuse of power.

Legislative bills, while important for creating specific laws, do not fundamentally set the limits of governmental power; they operate within the bounds defined by the constitution. Executive orders are directives issued by the president or heads of executive branches, but they too must adhere to the limitations set forth in the constitution. Judicial opinions may interpret the law and apply it to individual cases, but they derive their authority from the constitution and cannot establish limits on government powers by themselves. Hence, constitutions are the key documents that delineate the structure and restrictions of governmental power in a constitutional system.