THE RHETORIC AND POLITICS OF LIBERTY

In: Social science quarterly, Band 70, Heft 4, S. 836-850

Abstract

THE CONCEPTS OF LIBERTY AND FREEDOM ARE THE CORE OF LIBERAL POLITICAL THOUGHT. THEY ARE ALSO A FOCUS FOR CONTEMPORARY POLITICS. THE PAPER EXAMINES THE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NOTION OF LIBERTY, AS WELL AS THE WAYS IN WHICH THESE DEFINITIONS REFLECT THE CONCRETE POLITICAL PREFERENCES OF THEIR EXPONENTS. FINALLY, THE PAPER SUGGESTS A POSSIBLE REVISED UNDERSTANDING OF FREEDOM-AN UNDERSTANDING THAT IS BOTH IN HARMONY WITH LIBERALISM PROPER AND PRESCRIPTIVE FOR A LIBERAL POLITICS.