<P>The positive / negative freedom distinction made popular by Isaiah Berlin just over half a century ago is met by an uneasy balance of scepticism and toleration among contemporary academic political theorists. <EM>Positive and Negative Freedom in Liberal Thought </EM>undertakes a systematic study of the distinction. It examines key literature and thinking over the historical development of the popsitive / negative distinction, and traces its evolution into contemporary theory.</P><P>The book not only analyses the dual conceptualisation in more philosophical depth than previous studies, but also discusses the distinction as a significant part of liberal political thought. It will be of interest to students and scholars of liberalism and political theory.</P>