Full Idea
The [liberal] right of man to freedom is not based on the union of man with man, but on the separation of man from man. It is the right to this separation.
Gist of Idea
Liberals want the right to be separate, rather than for people to be united
Source
Karl Marx (works [1860], p.53), quoted by Will Kymlicka - Contemporary Political Philosophy (2nd edn) 7
Book Reference
Kymlicka,Will: 'Contemporary Political Philosophy (2nd ed)' [OUP 2002], p.295
A Reaction
[in collection ed.McLelland p.53] That nicely encapsulates the debate. Modern liberal thinkers regret the loss of community, but people in authoritarian communities yearn for separation. You can have too much 'union'!