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 ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• In political theory liberty has two aspects: the absence of external constraints (negative liberty) and the expansion of opportunities for people to develop their capacities (positive liberty).
• In the context of polity, the most complete definition is the opportunity to develop oneself fully, option (d); this is the view of thinkers such as T. H. Green and Harold Laski, and of the NCERT text on freedom.
• Absence of restraint (b) is only the negative aspect; total absence of restraint would lead to anarchy.
• Protection against tyranny (a) is one consequence of liberty, not its definition, and doing whatever one likes (c) is licence, not liberty.
• Hence option (d), as in the official UPSC key.
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.
- (b) Absence of restraint
- Absence of restraint is only the negative aspect of liberty and is incomplete.
- (c) Opportunity to do whatever one likes
- Doing whatever one likes is licence, not liberty.
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.