Substantive due process refers to the constitutional doctrine that protects certain fundamental rights from government interference. Specifically, it emphasizes the idea that the government’s laws and policies must be fair and reasonable, and it limits government power in a way that ensures individual rights are respected.
Among the provided responses, the most accurate interpretation is:
"Substantive due process centers on the idea of fairness limiting the power of the government."
This definition encapsulates the core concept that substantive due process is concerned with the content of laws and whether they infringe upon fundamental rights, thereby ensuring fairness and justice in legal proceedings and government actions.
The other responses either misinterpret the concept (like focusing solely on property rights) or address different legal concepts (as in procedural due process). Substantive due process is fundamentally about protecting individual liberties from unjust state action rather than simply ensuring procedures are followed.