Introduction to Political Theory

The relationship of freedom to equality will be discussed in greater detail in

Chapter 4, where the focus is on theories of justice – the aim here is simply to

introduce the problem and encourage some reflection on it. At this stage it would

be useful to consider two thought experiments (see box), the first of which is taken

from the work of Robert Nozick, and the second from G.A. Cohen (the work of

both theorists is discussed in greater detail in Chapter 4).

64 Part 1 Classical ideas

Most right-wing

policy

positions

Most left-wing

policy

positions A'

Number of people preferring policy position

B' Party A Party B

Figure 3.1One-dimensional policy competition between two parties with voter

preferences concentrated in the centre of the policy spectrum.

Source: From Laver (1997: 112). Reprinted with permission of Sage Publications.

Most right-wing

policy

positions

Most left-wing

policy

positions A'

Number of people preferring policy position

B' Party A Party B

Figure 3.2One-dimensional policy competition between two parties with voter

preferences in the two concentrations, on the left and on the right.

Source: From Laver (1997: 113). Reprinted with permission of Sage Publications.