Quentin Skinner, "Liberty as Independence: The Making and Unmaking of a Political Ideal" (Cambridge UP, 2025)

In this episode of the New Books Network, Morteza Hajizadeh interviews Professor Quentin Skinner about his book, "Liberty as Independence: The Making and Unmaking of a Political Ideal." Skinner contrasts two understandings of liberty: liberty as absence of constraint and liberty as independence, delving into the historical roots of the latter, particularly in the Anglophone tradition. The discussion covers the English Revolution of 1688, the British Bill of Rights, and the challenges to Whig oligarchy by satirists like Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope. The conversation further explores the shift in the concept of freedom during the American Revolution, the influence of figures like Richard Price and Thomas Paine, and the impact of the French Revolution. Skinner argues that the ideal of liberty as independence has been marginalized but remains crucial, especially in addressing silent power dynamics and ensuring genuine popular consent in governance, advocating for a robust form of democracy where citizens can shape the laws under which they live.