Civil and Political Liberties

A libertarian viewpoint

civil and political liberties  Civil ^*liberties can usefully be contrasted with so-called ^*“political liberties”. They are the liberties to which all ^*citizens, at least, have a ^*right. Civil liberties are the “liberties of the moderns”; following (Henri) Benjamin Constant (de Rebecque) (1767-1830). These include such things as ^*freedom of speech (more broadly, expression), ^*freedom of association, ^*freedom of assembly, and ^*freedom of religion (more broadly, conscience)—all implying being left alone by the ^*state. Political liberties are Constant’s “liberties of the ancients”. These include such things as the right (and sometimes ^*duty) to ^*vote, to political participation of various kinds, and even (also a duty) ^*jury service; all being involved with operating the state. It is clearer to say that civil liberties, correctly understood, are various important aspects of liberty generally; and not only the rights of “citizens”. Political liberties, by contrast, are really ^*licenses and ^*initiated impositions of one kind or another, whether upon other people or upon oneself. (See ^*civil rights.)

(This is an entry from A LIBERTARIAN DICTIONARY: Explaining a Philosophical Theory [draft currently being revised]. Asterisks indicate other entries.)