1. Who said ‘negative liberty is superior to positive liberty”? (Dec-2012)

1. J.S Mill
2. Isaiah Berlin
3. TH Green
4. Ernest Barker

Answer: 2

Isaiah Berlin said that negative liberty is superior to positive liberty. In his 1958 essay Two Concepts of Liberty, Berlin distinguished between negative liberty, which is freedom from external interference, and positive liberty, which is self-mastery or collective control. He argued that negative liberty is safer, as positive liberty can lead to authoritarianism when the state imposes a “higher” form of freedom on individuals. He warned that in history, positive liberty has been used to justify oppression, such as in totalitarian regimes.

2. Identify the correct sequence of the books written by FA Hayek. (SEP 2013)

I. Rules and Order

II. The Mirage of Social Justice

III. The Constitution of Liberty

IV. The Road to Serfdom

1. I, II, III, IV
2. III, IV, II, I
3. IV, III, I, I
4. II, I, IV, III

Answer: 3

The correct sequence of books written by F.A. Hayek is:

IV. The Road to Serfdom (1944) – This book critiques central planning and socialism, arguing that they lead to totalitarianism.

III. The Constitution of Liberty (1960) – A comprehensive work on political philosophy, advocating for classical liberalism and the rule of law.

I. Rules and Order (1973) – The first volume of Law, Legislation and Liberty, discussing spontaneous order and the evolution of legal systems.

II. The Mirage of Social Justice (1976) – The second volume of Law, Legislation and Liberty, challenging the concept of distributive justice.

Thus, the correct answer is: IV, III, I, II.

3. Which one of the following governmental systems is considered to be the off-spring and successor of the Theory of Separation of Powers? (DEC 2014)

1. Swiss
2. American
3. Indian
4. French

Answer: 2

The American governmental system is considered the off-spring and successor of the Theory of Separation of Powers. This theory, propounded by Montesquieu in his book The Spirit of Laws (1748), advocates for the division of government into Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches to prevent the concentration of power and ensure checks and balances. The U.S. Constitution (1787) institutionalized this theory by explicitly separating powers among the three branches while incorporating a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Unlike the Swiss (Federal Council system), Indian (Parliamentary system), or French (Semi-Presidential system) models, the American system strictly adheres to the doctrine of separation of powers, making it the most fitting example of its successor.

4. The poor are poor… not because of what they do not have, but because of what they cannot do.’ Who said this? (JUN-2019)

1. Hans Singer
2. Mahboob ul Haq
3. Amartya Sen
4. Harsh Mander

Answer: 2

The statement “The poor are poor… not because of what they do not have, but because of what they cannot do” was articulated by Mahboob ul Haq, a renowned Pakistani economist. He emphasized the concept of human development over mere economic growth, arguing that poverty stems from a lack of capabilities and opportunities rather than just material deprivation.

Mahboob ul Haq co-founded the Human Development Index (HDI) alongside Amartya Sen, another Nobel laureate economist. While Sen’s work focused on capability approach, Haq’s quote underscores the idea that poverty is rooted in the denial of choices and freedoms to individuals. This perspective shifted the focus from income-based poverty metrics to broader human development indicators.

Hans Singer was a development economist known for the Singer-Prebisch thesis, while Harsh Mander is an Indian social activist. Neither is associated with this specific quote. Thus, the correct answer is Mahboob ul Haq.

5. Which of the following freedoms was not mentioned by Roosevelt? (DEC-2019)

1. Freedom of speech
2. Freedom of worship
3. Freedom from fear
4. Freedom against exploitation

Answer: 4

The Four Freedoms outlined by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1941 speech included: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. These were proposed as essential democratic principles during World War II and later influenced global human rights frameworks.

The option “freedom against exploitation” was not mentioned by Roosevelt. This concept aligns more with later human rights movements, such as those against forced labor and child exploitation, rather than Roosevelt’s original four freedoms.

Thus, the correct answer is freedom against exploitation, as it was not part of Roosevelt’s foundational freedoms. The other three options—freedom of speech, freedom of worship, and freedom from fear—were explicitly included in his speech.

6. Consider the following statements. (OCT-2020)

I. The concept of negative liberty played an Important role in the establishment of capitalist system in Europe.

II. Laski views liberty as positive thing.

III. Marx accepts the theory of atomised, alienated and possessive individualism.

IV. Marx pointed out the alienation of man as the most dehumanising effect of the capitalism.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. I, II and III
2. II, III and IV
3. IV, III and I
4. I, II and IV

Answer: 4

The correct answer is I, II, and IV. Here’s the detailed breakdown:

1. Statement I is correct: The concept of negative liberty (freedom from external interference) was crucial in the rise of capitalism in Europe, as it emphasized minimal state intervention, allowing free markets to flourish. Thinkers like John Locke and Adam Smith supported this idea.

2. Statement II is correct: Harold Laski, a political theorist, viewed liberty as a positive concept, meaning freedom is not just the absence of restraints but the presence of opportunities and capacities to act.

3. Statement III is incorrect: Karl Marx rejected the idea of atomised, alienated, and possessive individualism—a hallmark of liberal capitalist thought. Instead, he critiqued capitalism for fostering alienation.

4. Statement IV is correct: Marx argued that alienation under capitalism—where workers are disconnected from their labor, products, and humanity—was its most dehumanizing effect.

7. Who among the following are not supporters of positive liberty? (NOV-2021)

I. T. H. Green

II. John Locke

III. Harold Laski

IV. Jeremy Bentham

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. I and II
2. I and III
3. II and IV
4. III and IV

Answer: 3

The correct answer is II and IV, meaning John Locke and Jeremy Bentham were not supporters of positive liberty.

1. T.H. Green (I) and Harold Laski (III) were strong advocates of positive liberty, which emphasizes freedom to achieve one’s potential through state support, education, and social reforms. Green, a British idealist, argued for state intervention to enable true freedom, while Laski linked liberty to socio-economic equality.

2. John Locke (II) supported negative liberty (freedom from interference), focusing on individual rights, property, and limited government. His philosophy aligned with classical liberalism, not the state-assisted freedom of positive liberty.

3. Jeremy Bentham (IV), a utilitarian, prioritized legal and political freedoms over moral or developmental aspects of liberty. He opposed metaphysical concepts like natural rights, making his view incompatible with positive liberty.

8. What does the idea of ‘positive liberty’ mean? (OCT-2022)

1. The state has the right to intervene in the hope of making people’s life more fulfilling.
2. People should just get out there and do whatever they want.
3. Only self-confident people can be free.
4. Freedom means absence of constraints deliberately imposed by other people.

Answer: 1

The idea of positive liberty refers to the concept that freedom is not just the absence of external constraints but also the presence of conditions enabling individuals to achieve their full potential. The state has the right to intervene in societal and economic structures to create opportunities, such as education, healthcare, and welfare, ensuring people can lead more fulfilling lives. This contrasts with negative liberty, which focuses solely on freedom from interference by others.

Proponents argue that true freedom requires empowerment, not just non-interference. For example, policies like universal education or healthcare are seen as tools to enhance positive liberty by removing barriers to self-development. Critics, however, warn that excessive state intervention may lead to paternalism, limiting individual choice. The concept was notably discussed by philosophers like Isaiah Berlin, who highlighted its potential for authoritarian misuse if interpreted too broadly.

In essence, positive liberty emphasizes active state involvement to foster conditions where individuals can genuinely exercise their freedoms, rather than merely being left alone. This approach prioritizes collective well-being alongside individual autonomy.

9. Who among the following said, “Political equality, therefore, is neve is accompanied by virtual economic equality: political power”? (2023)

1. J.S. Mill
2. H.J. Laski
3. John Kotski
4. Alfred Cobben

Answer: 2

The statement “Political equality, therefore, is never accompanied by virtual economic equality: political power” was made by Harold J. Laski, a prominent British political theorist and economist. Laski, a key figure in socialist and pluralist thought, argued that formal political equality (like voting rights) does not guarantee real economic equality, as wealth disparities undermine true democratic participation.

He believed that economic power heavily influences political power, meaning that without economic democracy, political democracy remains incomplete. His works, such as “A Grammar of Politics” (1925), emphasized the need for redistributive policies to balance social and economic inequalities. This critique aligns with his broader advocacy for democratic socialism and workers’ rights.

The other options—J.S. Mill (liberal philosopher), John Kotzki (a misspelling or obscure reference), and Alfred Cobban (historian of political thought)—are incorrect attributions. Laski’s perspective remains influential in debates on social justice and the intersection of economics and politics.

10. Chronologically arrange the following books in order of its publication year. (2023)

(A) Liberty after Freedom

(B) Four Essays on Liberty

(C) The Constitution of Liberty

(D) Two Concepts of Liberty

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. A, B, C, D
2. C, A, B, D
3. B, C, D, A
4. D, C, B, A

Answer: 10

The correct chronological order of publication is D, C, B, A.

Two Concepts of Liberty (D) was published in 1958 as a lecture by Isaiah Berlin, distinguishing between positive and negative liberty. The Constitution of Liberty (C) was published in 1960 by F.A. Hayek, advocating classical liberalism and individual freedom. Four Essays on Liberty (B) was published in 1969, compiling Berlin’s essays, including the revised version of Two Concepts of Liberty. Liberty after Freedom (A) was published in 2023 by Rahul Sagar, examining debates on freedom in post-colonial India.