Positive and Negative Freedom in Liberal Thought

The positive / negative freedom distinction made popular by Isaiah Berlin just over half a century ago is met by an uneasy balance of scepticism and toleration among contemporary academic political theorists. Positive and Negative Freedom in Liberal Thought undertakes a systematic study of the distinction. It examines key literature and thinking over the historical development of the popsitive / negative distinction, and traces its evolution into contemporary theory.

The book not only analyses the dual conceptualisation in more philosophical depth than previous studies, but also discusses the distinction as a significant part of liberal political thought. It will be of interest to students and scholars of liberalism and political theory.