What is freedom? Freedom is the power to act and change without restriction. It is the ability to pursue and accomplish our purposes. There are many definitions of freedom, but the most common are as follows:
True freedom is a way to act in accordance with one’s desire. For example, freedom means the capacity to do what one wants to do, or the freedom from obligations to others. Freedom is much more complicated than the capacity to do whatever one wants, which can result in dangerous anarchy. Freedom is the power to speak, worship, and gather as one wishes. But this freedom is only free if our actions do not infringe on the freedom of others.
Positive freedom advocates seek to make people realize their true selves. They conceptualize the self as a much larger social whole than a single individual. The individual is represented by the tribe, race, church, or a great society. However, this concept of freedom is problematic for many people. People often confuse freedom with liberty. Positive freedom advocates think that freedom is about making decisions based on the best interest of society. Positive freedom advocates envision the self as a vaster organic social whole.
While a government should protect the rights of every citizen, there are still many instances when freedom is compromised. One example is censorship. Although free speech is considered a fundamental human right, it is essentially limited by the rules of the society and the rule of law. Nonetheless, this freedom must remain a priority for every society. In addition, freedom of expression must be protected because it enables people to reach their full human potential. With this freedom, we have the ability to hold the powerful to account.
While freedom is essential, institutions are crucial in limiting the power of majorities. These institutions help limit the power of majority and constrain the sphere of government. Without institutions, freedom is impossible. Regardless, freedom is the best possible freedom for everyone. So, what are we going to do about it? If we don’t care about it, we won’t have a society. It will be unsustainable to squeeze everyone and destroy everything. And the future of freedom will be governed by institutions.
The concept of freedom has many definitions. In its broadest sense, freedom is the power to act and change without being constrained. Some definitions of freedom include the ability to resist oppression. Moreover, freedom is the power to achieve the purposes of an individual. For republicans, freedom means the power to make decisions without being influenced by other people. For the liberals, freedom is the freedom to be different. The term “freedom” is often associated with freedom.
While freedom is a desirable and important goal, it is not a sufficient one. In fact, freedom can lead to chaos and conflict. However, the status quo is a necessary evil to avoid. For example, the neo-Nazi group of the Federalist Society would not be allowed to exist in a democracy. Hence, the need to protect the property rights of the wealthy is essential. Similarly, the right to freedom means freedom to live in a society without societal tyranny.