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 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Opportunity to do whatever one likes
- (d) Opportunity to develop oneself fully
Why the answer is (b)
• In classical political theory liberty means the absence of restraint — the 'negative liberty' of Hobbes, Locke and Mill, and Isaiah Berlin's formulation — which the official key treats as the most appropriate definition, option (b).
• Option (d), the opportunity to develop oneself fully, is Laski's 'positive liberty' view; UPSC's key accepted both (b) and (d) as correct for this question.
• Option (a) is a consequence of liberty, not its definition; option (c) is licence, not liberty, since liberty is bounded by the equal liberty of others.
• Hence option (b) — with (d) also credited.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Protection against the tyranny of political rulers
- Protection from tyranny is an outcome of liberty, not its definition.
- (c) Opportunity to do whatever one likes
- Doing whatever one likes is licence, not liberty.
- (d) Opportunity to develop oneself fully
- Also accepted by the official key (positive liberty); recorded answer is (b).
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.