Correct option is D
The chronological arrangement of the features of constitutionalism, according to option (d), is as follows:
1. Political Separatism (C): Political separatism refers to the division or independence of a territory or group from a central authority. This idea took shape in the medieval era when city-states and territories sought autonomy from empires or centralized powers. The signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 is a significant example where the English nobility forced King John to agree to a charter limiting the monarch's power, representing an early form of political separatism.
2. Codification of Law (B): After the concept of separatism, societies began to understand the need for formalized laws that were documented and consistently applied. The codification of law became prominent with examples such as the English Bill of Rights (1689) and the Napoleonic Code (1804), which helped systematize legal frameworks.
3. Constitutional Monarchy (D): The idea of a constitutional monarchy developed as monarchies began to accept legal limitations on their power, influenced by Enlightenment ideas. By the late 17th century, England saw the establishment of a constitutional monarchy with the Glorious Revolution (1688) and the subsequent Bill of Rights (1689), which defined the limits of royal authority.
4. Checks and Balances (A): The concept of checks and balances emerged more prominently in the 18th century, especially with the formation of the United States Constitution (1787). Enlightenment thinkers like Montesquieu advocated for the separation of powers to ensure no single branch of government could dominate, and this became a cornerstone of modern constitutionalism.