6. Liberty
Liberty is defined as the condition in which individuals can act freely as long as they respect the rights of others, encompassing both freedom from oppression and the protection of individual rights. Various types of liberty, including negative, positive, political, and civil liberty, play crucial roles in personal autonomy and democracy. The chapter emphasizes the interplay between liberty, equality, and state governance, highlighting the importance of safeguarding individual freedoms while addressing potential tensions and challenges in modern society.
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What we have learnt
- Liberty allows individuals autonomy in their lives and decisions.
- It serves as a foundation for democracy, ensuring citizens can participate in political processes.
- Civil and political liberties are essential for protecting individual rights against government infringement.
Key Concepts
- -- Negative Liberty
- The absence of external constraints that prevents individuals from acting according to their will, focusing on 'freedom from' obstacles.
- -- Positive Liberty
- The capacity to act to fulfill one's potential, requiring enabling conditions like education and healthcare.
- -- Political Liberty
- The right to participate in the political process, including voting and forming political opinions.
- -- Civil Liberty
- The protection of individual freedoms such as freedom of expression, assembly, and the right to a fair trial from arbitrary restrictions.
- -- Fundamental Rights
- Rights enshrined in the constitution that protect individual liberties in democratic nations.
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