The purpose of this work is to discuss and explain the nature of political freedom. The approach is interdisciplinary, drawing from social theory, history, and law, as well as philosophy and political theory. The argument presented defends a view of political freedom as a social norm that has gained great prominence in those places where it has emerged through time as a social mechanism that supports social order and brings security to social life. Regarded as a social norm, political freedom promotes the toleration of the religious, cultural, ideological, and moral differences that generate normative conflict throughout society. The resultant understanding of political freedom therefore defends a distinction between political and personal freedom and separates the idea of political freedom from the individualism with which it is normally associated in most philosophical literature. The argument also indicates why it is appropriate to regard political freedom as a central virtue of social justice.

Craig L. Carr is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the Hatfield School of Government, Portland State University, USA.

1. INTRODUCTION: THE GOOD OF FREEDOM

Rationalist and Historicist Political Thought

The Methodological Dilemma

Freedom From and Freedom To

Freedom and Its Theoretical Diaspora

The Journey Toward Political Freedom

2. AGENCY AND SOCIAL ONTOLOGY

The Ontological Paradox

Agency, Autonomy, and the Mystery of Action

Agency and Social Theory

Structuration and Ontological Conflation

Reconciliation: Morphostasis and Morphogenesis

Norm Circles

Rules, Norms, and Social Practices

3. THE METAPHYSICS OF SOCIAL BEING

Agency and Modernity

The Internal Dialogue

The Autonomy Thicket

Strong Agency/Communal Autonomy

Social Change and Group Mitosis

Social Orders

4. PERSONAL FREEDOM: THE ACTION MODEL

Freedom and Action

Freedom and Open Options

Freedom, Action, and Restraint

Freedom, Interests, and Desires

Desire, Restraint, and Freedom 

5. PERSONAL FREEDOM: THE CULTURE MODEL

Positive Freedom and Impermissible Action

Coercion, Freedom, and Permissible Action

Coercion

IPR Conventions

Personal Freedom

The Good of Personal Freedom

Freedom Complaints

6. POLITICAL FREEDOM

Social Theory and Normative Pluralism

Social Stability and Political Practice

The Morality of Political Freedom

The Politics of Political Freedom

Toleration, Morality, and Freedom

7. POLITICAL FREEDOM AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Justice Thinking

Justice Fields

Civil Justice

Socio-economic Self-determination and Equality

Inclusion and Discrimination

Forms of Discrimination