Triadic Model of Freedom
Although we have been warned by some of the greatest political thinkers of the nineteenth century, by Tocqueville and Lord Acton, that socialism means slavery, we have steadily moved in the direction of socialism.
The Neoliberal View of Freedom
The agent is the autonomous rational individual who is aspiring to be free. The agent's goal is to live well and to achieve well-being (property rights, free markets, and individual choice). The goal is always "freedom," defined in a particular way. In order to attain this goal, the agent must overcome obstacles to gain this freedom (government regulation, interference in markets).
Course Author(s) and University of Waterloo
The Libertarian View of Freedom
The agents are autonomous rational individuals and members of voluntary associations who are aspiring to be free. The agent's goal is to live well and to achieve well-being (unfettered property and individual rights). The goal is always "freedom," defined in a particular way. In order to attain this goal, the agent must overcome obstacles to gain this freedom (government coercion, taxes, regulations, social welfare programs).
Course Author(s) and University of Waterloo