h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The minimalist state, an idea which is principally the brainchild of philosopher Robert Nozick, revolves around the concepts of positive and negative freedom. Negative freedom, as defined by Isaac Berlin, is freedom which, in essence, is of the form which denies the state the right to coerce, or otherwise effect the individual. For the individual, then, negative freedom refers to a minimum state of being which everyone has the right to. Put simply, negative freedom affords the individual freedom from things. Positive freedom, by contrast, provides the individual with freedom to do things. It is the means to carry out certain actions. Freedom from murder and military conscription are freedoms from, whereas freedoms such as those afforded to most social democracies through the welfare state are freedoms to do things. We are provided with some form of framework which gives us free healthcare, for example.