What principle does the Magna Carta represent in governance?

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, represents the principle of mutual limits and obligations between rulers and the aristocracy. This foundational document established that the power of the monarchy is not absolute and that even kings must abide by the law. It introduced the concept that the monarch's authority is subject to the law and that the governed, particularly the nobles at the time, have rights that must be recognized and respected by those in power.

This principle laid the groundwork for later developments in democratic governance, emphasizing the importance of legal constraints on authority and the idea that rulers have obligations to their subjects. The Magna Carta can be seen as an early step toward constitutional governance, influencing the development of legal frameworks that protect individual rights and limit governmental power.

While other options like popular sovereignty, where the authority of the government is derived from the consent of the governed, and federalism, which refers to the division of power between central and regional authorities, are important concepts in governance, they are not directly embodied by the Magna Carta. The focus of the document is more on the relationship and obligations between the monarch and the aristocracy rather than broad democratic principles.