Q40 · UPSC Prelims 2018 · Set A · Polity and Governance

← Q39 Q41 →

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: (b) If there are no laws, there is no liberty.

Explanation

  1. A

    If there are more laws, there is less liberty.

    (a) If there are more laws, there is less liberty. That anarchist or simple inverse view is not the most appropriate relationship in the constitutional-theory sense the question wants. Law can enable liberty. This is not the key.

  2. B

    If there are no laws, there is no liberty.

    (b) If there are no laws, there is no liberty. (b) Official key: In the liberal rule-of-law tradition, liberty exists through known general laws that restrain arbitrary power. Without law there is licence or domination, not liberty. That is the stored key.

  3. C

    If there is liberty, laws have to be made by the people.

    (c) If there is liberty, laws have to be made by the people. Popular law-making is democracy, not the definition of the law–liberty link. This is not the key.

  4. D

    If laws are changed too often, liberty is in danger.

    (d) If laws are changed too often, liberty is in danger. Legal stability matters, but it is not the most appropriate statement of the relationship. This is not the key.

Summary. Official key is (b). Classical liberal thought treats law as the condition of liberty, not its enemy: no law, no secure freedom. A mere count of statutes, popular authorship, or frequent amendment does not capture that relationship as well. Honour the stored letter (b).

Same topic · past papers

UPSC has asked this before

These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.

  1. 2017 · Q47 · General Studies · 2 marks

    In the context of India, which one of the following is the correct relationship between Rights and Duties?

    View answer →

  2. 2024 · Q28 · General Studies · 2 marks

    Which one of the following shows a unique relationship with an insect that has coevolved with it and that is the only insect that ta pollinate this tree ?

    View answer →

PDF