Q. Which one of the following reflects the most appropriate relationship between law and liberty?
- If there are more laws, there is less liberty.
- If there are no laws, there is no liberty.
- If there is liberty, laws have to be made by the people.
- If laws are changed too often, liberty is in danger.
Answer: (b) If there are no laws, there is no liberty.
Notes:
- Absence of all restraints on an individual is defined as liberty. John Locke wrote that “the end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.”
- Where there is no Law, there is no Freedom. For Liberty is to be free from restraint and violence from others which cannot be, where there is no Law.
- Since individuals live together in a society, complete absence of restraints would be neither possible nor desirable. It has been very aptly said that your liberty to swing your arm ends there where my nose begins. For liberty to be enjoyed by everyone, it should have reasonable restraints. The freedom of many requires restraint of law on the freedom of some.
- Liberty Means freedom of thought, expression and action. However It does not mean freedom to do anything that one desires or likes. If that were to be permitted then a large number of people will not be able to enjoy their freedom.
- Therefore, freedoms are defined in such a manner that every person will enjoy her freedom without threatening freedom of others and without endangering the law and order situation. So if there are no laws then there will be chaos and no individual can enjoy his/her liberty.