Single Idea 21113

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / c. Liberal equality]

Full Idea

A liberal society treats people as equals by equipping them with the same set of rights, and it respects their freedom by allowing them to choose their own freely chosen ends.

Gist of Idea

Liberal equality concerns rights, and liberal freedom concerns choice of ends

Source

Andrew Shorten (Contemporary Political Theory [2016], 01)

Book Reference

Shorten,Andrew: 'Contemporary Political Theory' [Palgrave 2016], p.8


A Reaction

Equality of rights is fairly standard in any modern society (at least in principle). Freedom of ends is trickier. You can dismiss someone sleeping in the gutter as living a life that resulted from their choices. How many people have clear goals in life?