The Liberty Reader

For centuries past, the quest for liberty has driven political movements across the globe, inspiring revolutions in America, France, China and many other countries. Now, we have Iraq and the idea of liberation through preemption. What is this liberty that is so fervently pursued? Does it mean a private space for individuals, the capacity for free and rational choice, or collective self-rule? What is the difference between positive and negative liberty, or the relationship between freedom and coercion? Reflecting on these questions reveals a surprisingly rich landscape of ideas-and further questions. The Liberty Reader collects twelve of the most important and insightful essays on issues of freedom currently available. It is essential reading for students of social and political theory, political philosophy, and anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the variety of ideas and ideals behind perennial human strivings for liberty. Contributors Hannah Arendt, Isaiah Berlin, G. A. Cohen, T. H. Green, F. A. Hayek, Nancy Hirschman, Gerald C. MacCallum Jr., David Miller, Phillip Pettit, Quentin Skinner, Hillel Steiner, Charles Taylor.

The quest for liberty has driven political movements across the globe, inspiring revolutions in America, France, China and many other countries over the centuries. Even today, Western governments justify their military interventions in the name of promoting freedom.

But what is this liberty that is so fervently pursued? Does it mean a private space for individuals, the capacity for free and rational choice, or collective self-rule? What is the difference between positive and negative liberty, or the relationship between freedom and coercion? Reflecting on these questions reveals a surprisingly rich landscape of ideas, as well as further questions.

The Liberty Reader, edited and introduced by the distinguished political philosopher David Miller, collects some of the most important and insightful essays written in the past century by philosophers, political theorists, and other thinkers who have reflected on teh nature of liberty and how to achieve it. The essays have been chosen to represent a wide range of political perspectives—liberal, libertarian, socialist, feminist, and republican—and a carefully structured bibliography allows the reader to pursue particular topics in greater depth. It is essential reading for students of social and political theory, political philosophy, and anyone searching for a deeper understanding of the different ideas and visions that lie behing perennial human strivings for liberty.

"For centuries past, the quest for liberty has driven political movements across the globe, inspiring revolutions in America, France, China and many other countries. Now, we have Iraq and the idea of liberation through preemption. What is this liberty that is so fervently pursued? Does it mean a private space for individuals, the capacity for free and rational choice, or collective self-rule? What is the difference between positive and negative liberty, or the relationship between freedom and coercion? Reflecting on these questions reveals a surprisingly rich landscape of ideas - and further questions. "The Liberty Reader" collects twelve of the most important and insightful essays on issues of freedom currently available. It is essential reading for students of social and political theory, political philosophy, and anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the variety of ideas and ideals behind perennial human strivings for liberty."--Provided by publisher Liberal legislation and freedom of contract / T.H. Green Two concepts of liberty / Isaiah Berlin Freedom and politics / Hannah Arendt Freedom and coercion / F. A. Hayek Negative and positive freedom / Gerald C. MacCallum, Jr Individual liberty / Hillel Steiner What's wrong with negative liberty / Charles Taylor Capitalism, freedom, and the proletariat / G.A. Cohen Constraints on freedom / David Miller Toward a feminist theory of freedom / Nancy J. Hirschmann The republican ideal of freedom / Philip Pettit A third concept of liberty / Quentin Skinner. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Introduction 1. Liberal Legislation and Freedom of Contract 2. Two Concepts of Liberty 3. Freedom and Politics 4. Freedom and Coercion 5. Negative and Positive Freedom 6. Individual Liberty 7. What’s Wrong with Negative Liberty 8. Capitalism, Freedom, and the Proletariat 9. Constraints on Freedom 10. Toward a Feminist Theory of Freedom 11. The Republican Ideal of Freedom 12. A Third Concept of Liberty Selected Bibliography Index About the Editor and Contributors A collection of twelve of the most important and insightful essays on issues of freedom. This work is suitable for students of social and political theory, political philosophy, and those who want a deeper understanding of the variety of ideas and ideals behind perennial human strivings for liberty.