LIBERTY AND EQUALITYAccording to John Stuart Mill(1859 pp. 69-73), liberty can be described as an individual right for one to act as he or she wants, so long as his or actions do not harm others. In Mill’s view of liberty it can be observed that there are two key concepts, individual free will to act as he or she wishes and a check on those individual actions to make sure that they do not harm others. The concept of liberty is divided into two categories namely negative liberty and positive liberty. Carter (2012) defines positive liberty as the possibility of acting in such a way as to take control of one’s life and realize one’s fundamental purpose. Carter also defines negative liberty as the absence of external obstacles or constraints in the exercise of one’s freedom. In order to best understand the concept of equality, it has to be divided into three; Political equality, social equality and equality of opportunity. Political equality simply means that each citizen has one vote. Social equality means providing equal chances and ensuring equal outcome. Equality of opportunity means that each person has the same chance to succeed in life (Janda, Berry & Goldman, 1989). The two concepts of liberty and equality appear to be positively and negatively related in different circumstances. This essay will emphasize on how liberty and equality are related to one another.
The first instance in which the concept of equality gives a compliment to liberty can be witnessed in John Stuart Mill’s assertion on liberty (1859). Mill’s view of liberty states that an individual is free to act as he or she wishes as long as his or her actions do not harm others. This consideration of others in the exercise of one’s rights and freedoms ensures that everybody enjoys equal rights and freedoms without any hindrances. Therefore Mill’s view on liberty is instrumental in ensuring equality to everyone because it acknowledges the presence…