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Single Idea 18662

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / d. Liberal freedom ]

Full Idea

The liberal right of man to freedom is not based on the union of man with man, but on the separation of man from man; it is the right to this separation.

Gist of Idea

Liberal freedom is the right to be separate, and ignores the union of man with man

Source

Karl Marx (works [1860]), quoted by Will Kymlicka - Contemporary Political Philosophy (1st edn) 7.2.a

Book Ref

Kymlicka,Will: 'Contemporary Political Philosophy (1st edn)' [OUP 1992], p.251


A Reaction

[quoted from an anthology] It is interesting that liberal freedom is the right NOT to be involved in politics, and even not to vote in elections. Home counties England (high hedges etc) is the embodiment of the freedom not to be involved in society.


The 11 ideas from 'works'

Early Marx anticipates communitarian objections to liberalism [Marx, by Oksala]
By saying the material dialectic of history aspires to the best, Marx agreed with capitalism [Weil on Marx]
False consciousness results from concealment by the superstructure [Marx, by Singer]
Marx says force is everything, and that the weak will become strong, while remaining the weak [Weil on Marx]
Marx rejected equal rights because they never actually treat people as equals [Marx, by Kymlicka]
Capitalism changes the world, by socialising the idea of a commodity [Marx, by Bowie]
The essence of capitalism is the subordination of people to things [Marx, by Weil]
Marx thought capitalism was partly liberating, and could make labour and ownership more humane [Marx, by Bowie]
Armies and businesses create moralities in which their activity can do no wrong [Marx, by Weil]
Liberal freedom is the right to be separate, and ignores the union of man with man [Marx]
Liberals want the right to be separate, rather than for people to be united [Marx]