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Q85 (IAS/2019) Polity & Governance › Preamble, Union & Territory, Citizenship › Concept of liberty Official Key

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

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: D
Explanation

The correct answer is option D because liberty means the absence of restraints on the activities of individuals, and at the same time, providing opportunities for the development of individual personalities[1]. This comprehensive definition goes beyond mere negative liberty (absence of constraints) to include the positive dimension of freedom. Freedom allows the full development of the individual's creativity, sensibilities and capabilities in various fields, and a free society is one that enables one to pursue one's interests with a minimum of constraints[2].

Option A is too narrow as it focuses only on protection from political tyranny. Option B represents only the negative aspect of liberty without the positive dimension of self-development. Option C is incorrect because liberty does not mean license to do what one likes, and has to be enjoyed within the limitations mentioned in the Constitution itself - the liberty conceived is not absolute but qualified[1]. Therefore, option D most appropriately captures the holistic understanding of liberty in political theory.

Sources
  1. [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 5: Preamble of the Constitution > III Liberty > p. 45
  2. [2] Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > p. 21
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
50%
got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full view
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. In the context of polity, which one of the following would you accept as the most appropriate definition of liberty? [A] Protection agai…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 7.5/10 · 2.5/10

This is a classic 'Philosophy of Constitution' question, moving beyond mere articles to political theory. While Laxmikanth covers the Preamble, the specific conceptual distinction between Negative Liberty (Option B) and Positive Liberty (Option D) is a direct lift from NCERT Class XI Political Theory, Chapter 2.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
In the context of polity, is liberty appropriately defined as protection against the tyranny of political rulers?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > 2.5 NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE LIBERTY > p. 26
Presence: 5/5
“Earlier in the chapter we had mentioned two dimensions of freedom school— freedom as the absence of external constraints, and freedom as the expansion of opportunities to express one's self. In political theory these have been called negative and positive liberty. 'Negative liberty' seeks to define and defend an area in which the individual would be inviolable, in which he or she could 'do, be or become' whatever he or she wished to 'do, be or become'. This is an area in which no external authority can interfere. It is a minimum area that is sacred and in which whatever the individual does, is not to be interfered with.”
Why this source?
  • Defines 'negative liberty' as absence of external constraints and an area where no external authority can interfere.
  • Frames liberty specifically in terms of freedom from interference by authorities, matching the idea of protection from rulers.
Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > p. 91
Presence: 5/5
“The position in foundation of individual rights in England may be said to be negative, in the sense that an individual has the right and freedom to take whatever action he likes, so long as he does not violate any rule of the ordinary law of the land. Individual liberty is secured by judicial decisions determining the rights of individuals in particular cases brought before the courts. The Judiciary is the guardian of individual rights in England as elsewhere; but there is a fundamental difference. While in England, the courts have the fullest power to protect the individual against executive tyranny, the courts are powerless as against legislative aggression upon individual rights.”
Why this source?
  • States that courts have the fullest power to protect the individual against executive tyranny in England.
  • Links individual liberty directly to protection from executive (political ruler) overreach.
Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA > p. 128
Presence: 5/5
“Protection of life and A. Article 21 of our Constitution provides that personal liberty. No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law. This Article reminds us of one of the famous clauses of the Magna Carta: No man shall be taken or imprisoned, disseized or outlawed, or exiled, or in any way destroyed save . . . by the law of the land. It means that no member of the Executive shall be entitled to interfere with the liberty of a citizen unless he can support his action by some provision of law.”
Why this source?
  • Article 21 ensures personal liberty cannot be deprived except according to law, restricting arbitrary executive action.
  • Specifies a constitutional safeguard that prevents members of the Executive from interfering with citizens' liberty without legal basis.
Statement 2
In the context of polity, is liberty appropriately defined as absence of restraint?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > 2.2 WHAT IS FREEDOM? > p. 19
Presence: 5/5
“A simple answer to the question 'what is freedom' is absence of constraints. Freedom is said to exist when external constraints on the individual are absent. In terms of this definition an individual could be considered free if he/she is not subject to external controls or coercion and is able to make independent decisions and act in an autonomous way. However, absence of constraints is only one dimension of freedom. Freedom is also about expanding the ability”
Why this source?
  • Gives a simple, direct definition: freedom exists when external constraints on the individual are absent.
  • Explicitly treats absence of constraints as the core condition for individual autonomy and independent action.
Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > 2.5 NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE LIBERTY > p. 26
Presence: 5/5
“Earlier in the chapter we had mentioned two dimensions of freedom school— freedom as the absence of external constraints, and freedom as the expansion of opportunities to express one's self. In political theory these have been called negative and positive liberty. 'Negative liberty' seeks to define and defend an area in which the individual would be inviolable, in which he or she could 'do, be or become' whatever he or she wished to 'do, be or become'. This is an area in which no external authority can interfere. It is a minimum area that is sacred and in which whatever the individual does, is not to be interfered with.”
Why this source?
  • Identifies 'negative liberty' precisely as freedom from external constraints and interference.
  • Describes a protected area in which no external authority can interfere, matching the 'absence of restraint' formulation.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 5: Preamble of the Constitution > III Liberty > p. 45
Presence: 4/5
“The term 'liberty' means the absence of restraints on the activities of individuals, and at the same time, providing opportunities for the development of individual personalities. The Preamble secures to all citizens of India liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship, through their Fundamental Rights, enforceable in court of law, in case of violation . Liberty as elaborated in the Preamble is very essential for the successful functioning of the Indian democratic system. However, liberty does not mean 'Hence' to do what one Hkes, and has to be enjoyed within the limitations mentioned in the Constitution itself. In brief, the liberty conceived by the Preamble or fundamental Rights is not absolute but qualified.”
Why this source?
  • States that 'liberty' means absence of restraints on activities of individuals as part of the constitutional conception.
  • Also qualifies that this absence is one aspect and must be balanced with opportunities and constitutional limits, so the definition is appropriate but not absolute.
Statement 3
In the context of polity, is liberty appropriately defined as the opportunity to do whatever one likes?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Historically speaking, the term liberty was initially defined as absence of all restraints on an individual. This is known as the negative concept of liberty. Early liberalism championed negative liberty."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the historical/negative definition of liberty as the absence of restraints on an individual.
  • Links that historical meaning to early liberalism, showing a direct tradition of defining liberty as unconstrained action.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"On Liberty (1859) is one of the clearest defenses of personal liberty ever written, that is, of an individual’s right to do whatever he or she desires so long as it does not interfere with another person’s right to do the same."
Why this source?
  • Summarizes Mill’s defense of personal liberty as an individual’s right to do whatever he or she desires.
  • Also qualifies that liberty in Mill’s formulation is limited by the requirement not to interfere with others’ rights (so not an absolute 'do whatever').
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Oppenheim saw that an important meaning of ‘freedom’ in the context of political and social philosophy was as a relation between two agents and a particular (impeded or unimpeded) action. However, Oppenheim’s interpretation of freedom was an example of what Berlin would call a negative concept."
Why this source?
  • Explains a conceptual account of freedom as a relation involving possible interference by others (triadic relation).
  • Notes that Oppenheim’s account exemplifies the 'negative' concept of liberty—emphasizing non-interference rather than unlimited action.

Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION > RIGHT TO FREEDOM > p. 34
Strength: 5/5
“Equality and freedom or liberty, are the two rights that are most essential to a democracy. It is not possible to think of the one without thinking of the other. Liberty means freedom of thought, expression and action. However it does not mean freedom to do anything that one desires or likes. If that were to be permitted then a large number of people will not be able to enjoy their freedom. Therefore, freedoms are defined in such a manner that every person will enjoy her freedom without threatening freedom of others and without endangering the law and order situation.”
Why relevant

Directly asserts that liberty does not mean freedom to do anything one desires and explains freedoms are limited so everyone's freedom is protected.

How to extend

A student could compare this rule with real-world laws (e.g., criminal law, public order norms) to see how 'do whatever one likes' would conflict with others' freedoms.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 5: Preamble of the Constitution > III Liberty > p. 45
Strength: 5/5
“The term 'liberty' means the absence of restraints on the activities of individuals, and at the same time, providing opportunities for the development of individual personalities. The Preamble secures to all citizens of India liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship, through their Fundamental Rights, enforceable in court of law, in case of violation . Liberty as elaborated in the Preamble is very essential for the successful functioning of the Indian democratic system. However, liberty does not mean 'Hence' to do what one Hkes, and has to be enjoyed within the limitations mentioned in the Constitution itself. In brief, the liberty conceived by the Preamble or fundamental Rights is not absolute but qualified.”
Why relevant

Defines liberty as absence of restraints plus opportunities for development, but explicitly states liberty is not to do whatever one likes and is qualified by constitutional limitations.

How to extend

One could examine a constitution (e.g., India's) to identify explicit limitations on rights (reasonable restrictions) and test the absolute-ness of 'do whatever one likes'.

Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > 2.5 NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE LIBERTY > p. 26
Strength: 4/5
“Earlier in the chapter we had mentioned two dimensions of freedom school— freedom as the absence of external constraints, and freedom as the expansion of opportunities to express one's self. In political theory these have been called negative and positive liberty. 'Negative liberty' seeks to define and defend an area in which the individual would be inviolable, in which he or she could 'do, be or become' whatever he or she wished to 'do, be or become'. This is an area in which no external authority can interfere. It is a minimum area that is sacred and in which whatever the individual does, is not to be interfered with.”
Why relevant

Distinguishes negative liberty (non-interference) from broader concepts, indicating even non-interference is a bounded 'area' rather than unlimited license to act.

How to extend

Using this distinction, a student could map which actions fall inside the 'inviolable area' versus those outside it that are regulable by law or social conditions.

India and the Contemporary World - I. History-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: The French Revolution > The Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen > p. 11
Strength: 4/5
“1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. 2. The aim of every political association is the preservation of the natural and inalienable rights of man; these are liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression. 3. The source of all sovereignty resides in the nation; no group or individual may exercise authority that does not come from the people. 4. Liberty consists of the power to do whatever is not injurious to others. 5. The law has the right to forbid only actions that are injurious to society. 6. Law is the expression of the general will.”
Why relevant

The Declaration of Rights of Man defines liberty as power to do whatever is not injurious to others, providing an historical rule limiting liberty by harm to others.

How to extend

Apply the 'not injurious to others' test to concrete acts (e.g., shouting in a theatre, assault) to evaluate whether 'do whatever one likes' would be permissible.

Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 3: THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CONSTITUTION > THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CONSTITUTION > p. 27
Strength: 4/5
“Individual rights as "freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship" and these are guaranteed against all the authorities of the State by Part III of the Constitution (vide Articles 19, 25-28], subject, of course, to the implementation of the Directive Principles, for the common good (Article 31 C] and the "fundamental duties", introduced [Article 51A], by the 42nd Amendment, 1976. 'Liberty' should be coupled with social restraint and subordinated to the liberty of the greatest number for common happiness. Guaranteeing of certain rights to each individual would be meaningless unless all inequality is banished from the social structure and each individual is assured. of equality of status and opportunity for ~he development of Equality. the best in him and the means for the enforcement of the rights guaranteed to him.”
Why relevant

Argues liberty must be coupled with social restraint and subordinated to the liberty of the greatest number, indicating a principle of balancing individual freedom with common good.

How to extend

A student could weigh cases where individual acts impede majority welfare (e.g., pollution, public health) to see why unlimited liberty is untenable.

Statement 4
In the context of polity, is liberty appropriately defined as the opportunity to develop oneself fully?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 5: Preamble of the Constitution > III Liberty > p. 45
Presence: 5/5
“The term 'liberty' means the absence of restraints on the activities of individuals, and at the same time, providing opportunities for the development of individual personalities. The Preamble secures to all citizens of India liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship, through their Fundamental Rights, enforceable in court of law, in case of violation . Liberty as elaborated in the Preamble is very essential for the successful functioning of the Indian democratic system. However, liberty does not mean 'Hence' to do what one Hkes, and has to be enjoyed within the limitations mentioned in the Constitution itself. In brief, the liberty conceived by the Preamble or fundamental Rights is not absolute but qualified.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly defines liberty as absence of restraints and provision of opportunities for the development of individual personalities.
  • Links this conception of liberty to the Preamble and Fundamental Rights, tying development of the individual to constitutional liberty.
Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > p. 21
Presence: 5/5
“Freedom, in this sense, allows the full development of the individual's creativity, sensibilities and capabilities: be it in sports, science, art, music or exploration. A free society is one that enables one to pursue one's interests with a minimum of constraints. Freedom is considered valuable because it allows us to make choices and to exercise our judgement. It permits the exercise of the individual's powers of reason and judgement. Girls and boys should be free to decide whom they wish to marry. Parents should have no say in this matter."”
Why this source?
  • Describes freedom as allowing full development of individual creativity, sensibilities and capabilities.
  • Frames a free society as one that enables pursuit of interests with minimal constraints, aligning with 'opportunity to develop oneself fully.'
Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > 2.5 NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE LIBERTY > p. 26
Presence: 5/5
“Earlier in the chapter we had mentioned two dimensions of freedom school— freedom as the absence of external constraints, and freedom as the expansion of opportunities to express one's self. In political theory these have been called negative and positive liberty. 'Negative liberty' seeks to define and defend an area in which the individual would be inviolable, in which he or she could 'do, be or become' whatever he or she wished to 'do, be or become'. This is an area in which no external authority can interfere. It is a minimum area that is sacred and in which whatever the individual does, is not to be interfered with.”
Why this source?
  • Sets out the positive liberty concept as expansion of opportunities to express and become oneself.
  • Differentiates positive liberty (development-enabling) from negative liberty (mere non-interference), directly supporting the developmental definition.
Pattern takeaway: UPSC is shifting from 'What is Article X?' to 'Why do we have Article X?'. Questions on Liberty, Equality, and Justice now require understanding the *normative* foundations (Political Theory NCERT) rather than just the *legal* provisions.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Directly solvable if you read NCERT Class XI Political Theory (Chapter 2: Freedom). A trap for those who only memorized Laxmikanth's definition of 'absence of restraints' without reading the subsequent qualification.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Political Theory > Concepts of Liberty > The debate between Negative Liberty (Freedom 'from') vs. Positive Liberty (Freedom 'to').
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the distinction: Negative Liberty (J.S. Mill, Isaiah Berlin) = Non-interference, 'Silence of laws'. Positive Liberty (T.H. Green, Laski, Rousseau) = Capacity building, Self-mastery. Key Concept: The 'Harm Principle' (Mill) – State can only interfere to prevent harm to others (Other-regarding actions).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When UPSC asks for the 'most appropriate' definition in the context of 'Polity' (a modern democratic state), prioritize the 'Teleological' definition (Goal: Development/Positive Liberty) over the 'Literal' definition (Mechanism: Absence of restraint/Negative Liberty).
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Negative vs Positive Liberty
💡 The insight

Liberty can mean freedom from external interference (negative) or expansion of opportunities (positive); the negative sense directly captures protection from rulers.

High-yield for polity and political theory questions: explains competing definitions of liberty, frames debates on state limits, and helps answer questions on rights versus state action. Useful for essays and conceptual MCQs comparing freedoms and their implications.

📚 Reading List :
  • Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > 2.5 NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE LIBERTY > p. 26
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION > RIGHT TO FREEDOM > p. 34
🔗 Anchor: "In the context of polity, is liberty appropriately defined as protection against..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Judicial Safeguards & Article 21
💡 The insight

Constitutional provisions and judicial protection (Article 21 and courts' role) are concrete mechanisms that prevent executive tyranny and secure personal liberty.

Crucial for UPSC mains and prelims: connects fundamental rights, rule of law, and separation of powers. Enables analysis of how liberty is protected legally and how courts check executive excesses in governance questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA > p. 128
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > p. 91
🔗 Anchor: "In the context of polity, is liberty appropriately defined as protection against..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Limits on Liberty: Harm Principle & Democratic Control
💡 The insight

Liberty is not absolute; the harm principle and democratic oversight justify restrictions and provide means to restrain rulers while protecting others' rights.

Valuable for framing balanced answers on civil liberties vs security and on permissible state restrictions. Links political theory (Mill) with institutional safeguards and democratic accountability, aiding evaluative and policy questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > 2.4 HARM PRINCIPLE > p. 24
  • Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > The Sources of Constraints > p. 21
🔗 Anchor: "In the context of polity, is liberty appropriately defined as protection against..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Negative vs Positive Liberty
💡 The insight

Absence of external constraints defines negative liberty, while expansion of opportunities defines positive liberty.

High-yield for questions on freedom and rights: distinguishes two core theoretical approaches to liberty and helps answer debates on state intervention and individual autonomy. Links directly to constitutional discussions of freedom and policy choices on welfare versus non-interference.

📚 Reading List :
  • Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > 2.5 NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE LIBERTY > p. 26
  • Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > 2.2 WHAT IS FREEDOM? > p. 19
  • Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > p. 21
🔗 Anchor: "In the context of polity, is liberty appropriately defined as absence of restrai..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Qualified Liberty and Reasonable Restrictions
💡 The insight

Liberty in polity is not absolute; it is subject to reasonable limits to protect public order, health, morals and others' freedoms.

Crucial for answering questions about fundamental rights, Article limits, and judicial review; allows candidates to explain why rights can be curtailed and to evaluate legality of restrictions in governance and policy contexts.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 5: Preamble of the Constitution > III Liberty > p. 45
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties IJl > p. 121
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION > RIGHT TO FREEDOM > p. 34
🔗 Anchor: "In the context of polity, is liberty appropriately defined as absence of restrai..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Interplay of Liberty and Equality
💡 The insight

Liberty must be coupled with social restraints and measures to ensure equality so rights are meaningful for all.

Useful for essays and mains answers linking civil liberties with socio-economic justice; enables analysis of how unfettered liberty can conflict with equality and why constitutional design balances both.

📚 Reading List :
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 3: THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CONSTITUTION > THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CONSTITUTION > p. 27
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: RIGHTS IN THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION > RIGHT TO FREEDOM > p. 34
🔗 Anchor: "In the context of polity, is liberty appropriately defined as absence of restrai..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Negative vs Positive Liberty
💡 The insight

Distinguishes freedom as non-interference (allowing individual actions without external restraint) from freedom as expansion of opportunities to develop oneself.

High-yield for polity questions because many UPSC items probe whether liberty means mere absence of restraint or requires enabling conditions; it links to debates on rights, state obligations, and judicial protection. Mastery helps answer questions on the nature of fundamental rights, limits on liberties, and policy choices between non-intervention and welfare measures.

📚 Reading List :
  • Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > 2.5 NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE LIBERTY > p. 26
  • Political Theory, Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Freedom > p. 27
🔗 Anchor: "In the context of polity, is liberty appropriately defined as the opportunity to..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

J.S. Mill's 'Harm Principle' (NCERT Class XI, p. 24). The next logical question is: 'On what grounds can the State restrict liberty?' Answer: Only to prevent harm to others (Other-regarding actions), not for the individual's own good (Self-regarding actions).

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use the 'Welfare State Filter'. Options A and B describe a 'Police State' (State leaves you alone). Option D describes a 'Welfare State' (State enables you). Since India is a Welfare State committed to social justice, the definition involving 'development' (Positive Liberty) is always the correct answer over 'non-interference'.

🔗 Mains Connection

Connect this to GS-4 (Ethics) and Economy: Amartya Sen's 'Capability Approach'. Development is defined as 'Freedom' (Positive Liberty) — the expansion of human capabilities to lead the lives they value, not just GDP growth.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2018 · Q40 Relevance score: -0.40

Which one of the following reflects the most appropriate relationship between law and liberty ?

IAS · 2021 · Q70 Relevance score: -2.66

Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?

CDS-II · 2015 · Q94 Relevance score: -4.43

Which of the following Fundamental Rights is/are available to non-citizens? 1. Equality before Law 2. Right against Discrimination 3. Equality of Opportunity 4. Protection of Life and Personal Liberty Select the correct answer using the code given below.

IAS · 2020 · Q85 Relevance score: -4.85

In the context of India, which one of the following is the characteristic appropriate for bureaucracy ?

NDA-I · 2014 · Q57 Relevance score: -4.90

Which of the following statements are true for the Fundamental Right to Life and Personal Liberty as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India? 1. The Right is available to citizens as well as aliens. 2. It covers protection against arbitrary executive and legislative action. 3. It includes the right to live with human dignity. 4. It can be taken away according to the procedure established by law. Select the correct answer using the code given below.