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.
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, If there are no laws, there is no liberty. Liberty is not the absence of rules: without law, the strong could do as they pleased and no one else would be free.
This idea comes from thinkers such as John Locke, who wrote that "where there is no law, there is no freedom". Law protects each person's freedom from being trampled by others and by the state itself. That is why the Constitution of India guarantees rights such as freedom of speech under Article 19 and personal liberty under Article 21, and at the same time lets the state place "reasonable restrictions" on them by law.
A is wrong because the number of laws is not what matters; good laws can widen freedom, as laws against untouchability did. C is wrong because liberty does not depend on people making every law directly. D is wrong because frequent change of laws may cause uncertainty, but it is not the basic link between law and liberty.
Exam tip: Locke: "Where there is no law, there is no freedom" — law is the condition of liberty.
Practice Questions
View allIn relation to the powers of the Union Government of India, which one of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.The Government of India may undertake legislative functions of a territory outside of India by agreement with the Government of that territory
- B.The Union Government may not entrust a State Government with functions over matters where executive power of the Union extends
- C.The Union Government may direct States for construction and maintenance of means of communication of military importance
- D.The Governor may, with consent of Government of India, entrust its officers with functions on matters which fall within the executive power of the State
Show answer
It is not correct, because Article 258 expressly lets the President, with a State Government's consent, entrust to it functions on any matter to which the Union's executive power extends.
Read the full explanation →Who, among the following Presidents of India, sent back the Post Office (Amendment) Bill, 1986 for the reconsideration of the Parliament?
- A.R. Venkataraman
- B.Shankar Dayal Sharma
- C.Giani Zail Singh
- D.K. R. Narayanan
Show answer
He was President when Parliament passed the Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill, 1986, and he did not give it his assent.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following languages was added to the Eighth Schedule by a Constitutional Amendment in 1967?
- A.Khasi
- B.Kashmiri
- C.Sindhi
- D.Urdu
Show answer
The 21st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1967 added Sindhi to the Eighth Schedule. The Eighth Schedule lists the official languages of India recognised by the Constitution.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements is not correct?
- A.Allahabad High Court has a Bench at Lucknow.
- B.Madhya Pradesh High Court has a Bench at Gwalior.
- C.Rajasthan High Court is located at Jodhpur.
- D.Guwahati High Court has no Bench.
Show answer
This statement is wrong, because the Gauhati High Court has permanent benches outside Guwahati. The Gauhati High Court at Guwahati is the common High Court for Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
Read the full explanation →Which Prime Minister of India remained a member of the Rajya Sabha throughout his tenure?
- A.P. V. Narasimha Rao
- B.Manmohan Singh
- C.I. K. Gujral
- D.H. D. Deve Gowda
Show answer
He was Prime Minister from May 2004 to May 2014 and sat in the Rajya Sabha for the whole of those ten years, which is permitted because Article 75 requires only that a Minister be a member of either House within six months; he was also the first Sikh to…
Read the full explanation →