Liberty

Liberty
Derived from the Latin word ‘Liber’ which
means free.
No clear definition about it.
Different meanings about it.
In general parlance, it means absence of
restraint or freedom to do as one please.
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Jeremy Bentham-liberty is a valuable
means to happiness.
Government should not unnecessarily
interfere in people’s liberty.
State is a necessary evil.
Liberty is not end in itself.
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J S Mill-
Human action has two aspects-self
regarding action and other regarding
action.
Self regarding pertains to the interest
concerning the individual himself.
Other regarding action means actions that
affect others.
State can interfere in other regarding
actions.
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Negative liberty:
Absence of any restraint.
Individuals must be free to do what they
want.
State should not interfere in the affairs of
the individuals.
State should be rolled back.
Free market economy must be there.
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Positive liberty-
It calls for positive state intervention.
Noninterference by the state does no result
in securing liberty.
State must provide socio-economic and
political opportunities for all.
Liberty cannot be realized without positive
state interventions.
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negative and positive liberty:
1. Negative liberty is about the absence of
restraint. Positive liberty is about providing
socio-economic and political opportunities
by the state.
2. Negative liberty does not justify the state
functions. Positive liberty justifies positive
state functions.
3. Negative liberty is supportive of the idea of
equality. Positive liberty is associated with
the idea of equality.
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Isaiah Berlin-
Liberty has two concepts: negative liberty
and positive liberty.
Negative liberty means one should be left
to do what he wants without any
interference.
Positive liberty means to be one’s own
master.
-for Berlin, both concepts of liberty imply the
absence of restraint.
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Political liberty-
Liberty to take part in government.
Liberty to vote, liberty top contest in
election.
Liberty to criticize the government.
Liberty to hold public offices.
Political liberty is associated with
democracy.
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Economic liberty:
Liberty to have equal access to all
economic resources.
Liberty to have a dignified economic life.
Liberty to work and leisure.
Liberty to satisfy one’s basic economic
needs.
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Social liberty:
Liberty to enjoy one’s social status.
Liberty to object any social discriminations.
Absence of any discriminations based on
caste, color, sex, race etc.
Liberty to have equal social standing.
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Political liberty and economic liberty:
Both political liberty and economic liberty
are complementary.
One cannot be fulfilled without the other.
There would be no meaning political liberty
without economic liberty.
Even if one happens to be wealthy sans
political liberty, it makes no sense.
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Political liberty and social liberty:
-they must complement each other.
-they must not be antagonistic to each other.
-one’s political liberty should not be based on
one’s social standing.
-without equal standing, chances are high
that political liberty may be compromised.
-social liberty should not be based on one’s
political standing.
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Broad features of liberty:
1. Absence of restraints and providing socio-
economic and political opportunities to
individuals.
2. Liberty is not static. The contents of liberty
may change from time to time.
3. Liberty exists in democracy. Liberty is mostly
compromised in a totalitarian state, fascist
state and communist regime.
4. Liberty is against determinism. Liberty is
modern development.
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Essential conditions for the safeguard of liberty:


1.Strong vigilance- people must be vigilant. People must have love for

liberty. Eternal vigilance in the price of liberty.

2.Separation of powers-powers of the three organs of government must be

separated. They must not be concentrated in the hands of one organ.

3.Democratic government-people have the ultimate power. Government is

accountable to people.

4.Independent and free media-media educate people. Media inform people

about the government functions. People question the authority.

5.Rule of law-it ensures the safeguard of liberty.