Equality, Liberty: PSIR Optional PYQs (Topic-wise)

Equality: Social, political and economic; relationship between equality and freedom; Affirmative action (PSIR PYQs)

1. Comment: “The end of law is not to abolish or restrain but to preserve and enlarge freedom.” (Locke) (1994)
2. Comment on the difference between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome. (150 words) (2012)
3. Why is ‘affirmative action’ important in provision of equal opportunity? (2012)
4. How is liberty a precondition for equality Explicate the rehitionship between equality and liberty. (2014)
5. Comment: Affirmative Action. (2016)
6. Differentiate between Freedom and Liberty. Discuss Marx’s notion of freedom. (2017)
7. Equality means fair treatment rather than equal treatment. Comment. (2018)
8. Comment in 150 words: Equality of opportunity. (2020)
9. Comment in about 150 words: Affirmative action. (2021)
10. Comment in about 150 words : Equality of outcome as a political idea. (2021)
11. “Equality of estates caused equality of power, and equality of power is liberty.” Comment. (2022)
12. Affirmative action policies draws as much strong criticism as strong support. Analyze this statement in the context of equality. (2023)
13. The nature of relationship between equality of democratic citizenship and liberty of citizens is influenced by economic equality. Comment. (2024)
14. Write a note on the relation between equality and liberty from the multi-cultural perspective. (2025)

Liberty

1. ‘ The existence of Liberty depends upon our willingness to build the foundations of society upon the basis of rational justice and to adjust them to changing conditions in terms of reasoned discussion and not violence.’ (Harold J. Laski). Discuss. (1991)
2. Comment: ‘Reason teaches all mankind who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty and possessions’ (Locke) (1992)
3. Comment: ‘Since liberty is a fruit that does not grow in all climates, it cannot be enjoyed by all people alike’. (Rousseau) (1992)
4. Compare negative and positive concepts of liberty. (2019)