PO110 : Negative and Positive Liberty.docx

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2 Dec 2012
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While government is often viewed as the enemy of individual freedom, t. h. Green argued that government action is often required to provide the basis for people to be fee to develop their individuality. Negative freedom: the absence of physical and legal restraints of actions; doesn t necessarily make us free. Positive freedom: you have the freedom to accomplish what you want with assistance. If we think it is a positive power or capacity of doing something worthwhile or enjoying, then individuals in a primitive society with little/no government are less free than modern citizens, who are subject to laws. Modern society presents greater opportunities to be free in the positive sense, however there are obstacles such as poverty, health, education, etc. Government, by helping ensure individuals have the means to live a life of dignity and respect, can help to make freedom meaningful for all rather than a special privileged few.