PYQ Vault · Paper 1 · Equality

Compare negative and positive concepts of liberty.

How the answer moves

The flow snapshot — the routes in, the body, the counter-view and the routes out.

Flow snapshot — how the answer moves
Intro routes

Route 1 both senses answer “what is freedom?” Berlin frames both contrast sets up the state’s role

Route 2 liberty splits into freedom-from vs freedom-to divide tracks classical vs modern liberalism

Body flow

negative = freedom from restraint rational agent, state must not fix ends Hobbes (impediments) Hayek (absence of coercion) state as necessary evil positive = freedom to act / realise potential exercise concept (ability to use opportunity) Green (power to do what is worth doing; hinder the hindrances) Tawney (poor’s liberty needs restraint of rich) Sen (capabilities)

Counter-view

MacCallum no simple dichotomy freedom as triadic relation (agent–constraints–goal)

Conclusion routes

Route 1 negative secures the space, positive supplies the power to use it complementary, not rival

Route 2 the meaning of liberty decides the state’s role the divide is about the state as much as about freedom

Model answer

Handwritten, in the form it would be written in the examination hall.

Handwritten model answer — UPSC PSIR 2019, Equality