Liberty Reader

The quest for liberty has driven political movements across the globe, inspiring revolutions in America, France, China and many other countries over the centuries. Even today, Western governments justify their military interventions in the name of promoting freedom. But what is this liberty that is so fervently pursued? Does it mean a private space for individuals, the capacity for free and rational choice, or collective self-rule? What is the difference between positive and negative liberty, or the relationship between freedom and coercion? Reflecting on these questions reveals a surprisingly rich landscape of ideas, as well as further questions. The Liberty Reader, edited and introduced by the distinguished political philosopher David Miller, collects some of the most important and insightful essays written in the past century by philosophers, political theorists, and other thinkers who have reflected on teh nature of liberty and how to achieve it. The essays have been chosen to represent a wide range of political perspectives--liberal, libertarian, socialist, feminist, and republican--and a carefully structured bibliography allows the reader to pursue particular topics in greater depth. It is essential reading for students of social and political theory, political philosophy, and anyone searching for a deeper understanding of the different ideas and visions that lie behing perennial human strivings for liberty.