2. Isaiah Berlin
In his influential analysis of freedom he distinguished
between 2 rival concepts – positive freedom and
negative freedom
This is often portrayed as the distinction between
being ‘free to do something’ and being ‘free from
something’
3. Negative freedom
Classical liberals believed in negative freedom ie. non
interference – the absence of external constraints upon
the individual
This conception of freedom is negative in that it leaves
the individual ‘at liberty’ to act as he/she wishes,
whatever the consequences
Hobbes defined freedom as the ‘silence of the laws’
4. Negative freedom
Poverty, disadvantage and disease may be regarded as
misfortunes, but from this viewpoint they cannot be
said to limit freedom
Ideological implications – those who employ freedom
in this negative sense are therefore inclined to support
the minimal state and sympathise with laissez faire
capitalism
5. Negative freedom
This classical liberal tradition of freedom reflected in
the ideas of the New Right/Thatcherism
From this approach freedom is expanded by rolling
back the state, encouraging individuals to take greater
responsibility for their own lives and circumstances
Freedom of choice in the market place
6. Evaluation
Promotes a ‘survival of the fittest system’ which may
undermine equality of opportunity and social justice
Council house sales, tax cuts and reduction of state
benefits will broaden the realm of liberty
Critics – this conception of freedom may simply
legitimise greed and grant the weak nothing more
than the ‘freedom to starve’
7. Positive freedom
Flaws of negative freedom led modern liberals to
redefine freedom, in order to remain true to core
liberal principles and values
Concerned with the opportunities available to
individuals to realise their true potential
Freedom ultimately means being free from the social
evils that can blight human existence as identified in
the Beveridge Report – want, disease............................
8. Positive freedom
It recognises social disadvantage (not just law and
physical restraint) as an enemy of freedom
Positive freedom suggest that liberty can be expanded
by welfarism and economic intervention
Comes close to identifying freedom with equality of
opportunity
9. Evaluation
Critics – classical liberals and New Right – this
principle is linked to the growth of the ‘nanny state’- it
allows our interests to be defined for us and so robs us
of responsibility for our own lives
Positive freedom links closely to socialists and Marx –
self fulfilment, human potential
