Politics Essay: Liberalism

Why do liberals reject unlimited freedom?

Freedom is a core theme of liberalism and they believe individual liberty is a supreme political value. Although classical liberal believe liberty is an essential natural right for human existence and modern liberals see liberty as the only condition where people are able fulfil their potential, no liberals accept that individuals have an absolute entitlement to freedom.

They believe that unlimited freedom can become a ‘licence’ and give individuals the right to abuse others. This is related to the liberal belief that the individual is egotistical and self-seeking and it may be in the interest of certain individuals to abuse other individuals. Therefore John Mill argued that the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.

While liberals agree on the value of liberty, they disagree on what it means for an individual to be free. Classical liberals believe in negative freedom which is the absence of external restrictions or constraints on the individual, allowing freedom of choice. Modern liberals, however, believe in positive freedom which is based on the achievement of autonomy and the development of human capacities.

Liberals reject unlimited freedom because they do not believe that a balanced and tolerant society will develop naturally out of the free actions of the individuals. They fear that completely free individuals may wish to exploit others if it is n their interests to do so. Therefore, liberals believe that our liberty requires that others are restrained from encroaching on our freedom and that their liberty is safeguarded from us. This relates back to liberals belief in a liberal state as this protection can only be provided by a sovereign state capable of restraining all individuals and groups within society.

Robyn