What is the significance of the Magna Carta?

The significance of the Magna Carta lies in its role in limiting the power of the monarchy and laying the groundwork for modern democracy. Signed in 1215 by King John of England, the Magna Carta was a result of tensions between the monarchy and the barons. It established the principle that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law. This shift in power dynamics introduced concepts such as due process and the right to a fair trial, which are fundamental to democratic governance today.

By placing checks on royal authority, the Magna Carta inspired future constitutional developments and served as a key influence on later democratic documents, including the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Its legacy is seen in the way it contributed to the evolution of parliamentary democracy and the protection of individual rights against arbitrary rule.