Question
Explain the positive concept of liberty.
Solution
The concept of positive liberty are concerned with explaining the idea of ‘freedom to’. They are in response to the answer ‘who governs me?’ to which the ideal answer is ‘I govern myself ’.
(i)Positive liberty discussions have a long tradition that can be traced to Rousseau, Hegel, Marx, Gandhi, Aurobindo, and also to those who draw their inspiration from these thinkers.
(ii)It is concerned with looking at the conditions and nature of the relationship between the individual and society and of improving these conditions such that there are fewer constraints to the development of the individual personality.
(iii)The individual is like a flower that blossoms when the soil is fertile, and the sun is gentle, and the water is adequate, and the care is regular. The individual to develop his or her capability must get the benefit of enabling positive conditions in material, political and social domains.
(iv)That is, the person must not be constrained by poverty or unemployment; they must have adequate material resources to pursue their wants and needs.
(v)They must also have the opportunity to participate in the decision making process so that the laws made reflect their choices, or at least take those preferences into account. Above all, to develop their mind and intellect, individuals must have access to education and other associated opportunities necessary to lead a reasonably good life.
(vi)Positive liberty recognises that one can be free only in society not outside it and hence tries to make that society such that it enables the development of the individual.
(i)Positive liberty discussions have a long tradition that can be traced to Rousseau, Hegel, Marx, Gandhi, Aurobindo, and also to those who draw their inspiration from these thinkers.
(ii)It is concerned with looking at the conditions and nature of the relationship between the individual and society and of improving these conditions such that there are fewer constraints to the development of the individual personality.
(iii)The individual is like a flower that blossoms when the soil is fertile, and the sun is gentle, and the water is adequate, and the care is regular. The individual to develop his or her capability must get the benefit of enabling positive conditions in material, political and social domains.
(iv)That is, the person must not be constrained by poverty or unemployment; they must have adequate material resources to pursue their wants and needs.
(v)They must also have the opportunity to participate in the decision making process so that the laws made reflect their choices, or at least take those preferences into account. Above all, to develop their mind and intellect, individuals must have access to education and other associated opportunities necessary to lead a reasonably good life.
(vi)Positive liberty recognises that one can be free only in society not outside it and hence tries to make that society such that it enables the development of the individual.
