Podcast
The Rachel Maddow Show
This book explores the concept of freedom, contrasting negative freedom (absence of constraints) with positive freedom (the ability to realize one's values). Snyder argues that positive freedom is essential for a functioning democracy and involves a more active engagement with shaping one's own life and society.
I worry that we speak of freedom without considering what it is.
— Episode: Maddow: 'We were supposed to get better...
Episode: Maddow: 'We were supposed to get better at not hav...
This book explores the concept of freedom, contrasting negative freedom (absence of constraints) with positive freedom (the ability to realize one's values). Snyder argues that positive freedom is essential for a functioning democracy and involves a more active engagement with shaping one's own life and society.
I worry that we speak of freedom without considering what it is.
Americans often have in mind the absence of something, occupation, oppression or even government.
Freedom from is a conceptual trap. It's also a political trap in that it involves self-deception. It contains no program for its own realization. It offers opportunities to tyrants.
Freedom is positive. It is about holding virtues in mind and having some power to realize them.
