UPSC 2019PolityModerate

In the context of polity, which one of the following would you accept as the most appropriate definition of liberty?

A
Protection against the tyranny of political rulers
B
Absence of restraint
C
Opportunity to do whatever one likes
D
Opportunity to develop oneself fully
Correct Answer

Explanation

Option (D) is the most appropriate definition because it represents "positive liberty," which views freedom as the existence of conditions that allow individuals to realize their full potential and develop their personality. While option (B), "absence of restraint," is the classic "negative" definition, it is considered incomplete in a modern democracy because it ignores the social and economic framework necessary for meaningful freedom. This question tests the core conceptual distinction between negative and positive liberty within political theory.

Political PhilosophyConcept of LibertyLibertyTyrannyRestraintOpportunitySelf-developmentPolitical Philosophy

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