Question

“Liberty consists of the power to do whatever is not injurious to others; thus the enjoyment of the natural rights of every man has for its limits only those that assure other members of society the enjoyment of those same rights; such limits may be determined only by law”.

– The Declaration of the Rights of Man

A government based on the ideas expressed in the passage would most probably show greatest concern for which of the folloiwng?

• A. Allowing maximum freedom without restraint
• B. Maintaining order in society using whatever means necessary
• C. Using the state as an oppressive instrument
• D. Achieving a balance between individual freedom and the needs of society

Answer 1

The correct option is D Achieving a balance between individual freedom and the needs of society

The Declaration of the Rights of Man was concerned about conceptualising and defining 'liberty'. The leaders of the French Revolution were sceptical about the possible outcomes of individual freedom. They believed that it should not injure the functioning of society.

Liberty essentially refers to the power to do whatever is not injurious to others. Thus, it tries to achieve a balance between individual freedom and the needs of society.