Which limit of liberal democracy was exposed by the question of women's suffrage?

Correct answer: The scope of political rights was limited

The direct answer is A: liberal democracy had a limited range of political rights. In the nineteenth century, some liberals supported constitutional government, individual liberty and elected institutions, but these rights were often restricted by property, gender and social status. Women were frequently denied the vote even when men were discussing freedom and representation. The women’s suffrage question therefore exposed a contradiction: a system could call itself democratic while excluding half the population from voting. Option A is correct because it identifies the limited scope of political rights. Option B is wrong because political rights had not reached everyone. Option C is not the best answer: the question asks about the limit exposed by women’s suffrage, not a general claim that radicals opposed it; many radicals supported wider rights. Option D is wrong because parliament did not end; the debate concerned who could participate in it. Exam cue: democracy is incomplete when formal liberty excludes groups from equal political rights.