Here is Question No. 40 a part of our series on UPSC Prelims 2018
Q40. Which one of the following reflects the most appropriate relationship between law and liberty?
(a) If there are more laws, there is less liberty. (b) If there are no laws, there is no liberty. (c) If there is liberty, laws have to be made by the people. (d) If laws are changed too often, liberty is in danger.
Answer: B
Liberty or freedom is formally defined as absence of restraint. Law, on the other hand, imposes restraints on certain activities of individuals. When liberty is accepted as a universal principle, it is imperative that liberty of one individual does not endanger the liberty of another individual.
Option B is a popular choice because it was a statement made by John Locke. He, in The second Treatise of Civil Government, wrote: “where there is no law, there is no freedom” In 1689, he also wrote that “the end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.” No law would give LICENSCE (Unregulated liberty).
