" Freedom "
️ What is freedom?
The English word for freedom 'liberty' is derived from the Latin language 'liber', which means - absence of shackles.
Freedom is generally regarded as the absence of restrictions and limitations. It is considered synonymous with the human right to 'do whatever he wants'.
In other words, liberty means the right of a human being to do the work which he is capable of doing. To expand one's capacity for self-expression and to have such conditions in which people can develop their talents.
Freedom according to Hobbes :-
Hobbes has called it, that is, the state of 'do whatever you want', the state of freedom which is available in the natural state.
Freedom according to Warker :-
The liberty of individuals is intertwined with the liberties of other individuals.
Freedom of personality development + logical bondage.
In the twentieth century, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi, etc., made freedom their ideal of life by opposing discrimination, exploitative and oppressive policies in governance.
️ Types of Freedom :-
Natural Freedom :-
Complete freedom to the person to do whatever he wants.
There should not be any kind of restriction on the actions of human beings.
Personal liberty :-
Freedom of choice in private matters.
Security of life.
Freedom of thought, expression and belief
Political Freedom :-
Right to participate in the affairs of the state.
Right to vote.
Right to contest free and fair elections.
The right to support or oppose the policies and actions of the government
Economic Rights :-
Right to hold any gainful office or to carry on business.
Right to freedom from want.
Right to produce and distribute goods
️ Freedom of Expression :-
The issue of freedom of expression is related to the least area of laissez-faire.
^ John Stuart Mill, in his book 'On Liberty', making a strong argument that freedom of expression should be given even to those whose views seem wrong and misleading in today's conditions.
Four strong arguments :-
No idea is completely wrong. There is also some part of truth in it.
Truth does not arise by itself, but by the clash of opposing views.
When an opposing idea comes in front of an idea, then only the credibility of that idea is proved.
What is true today may not always remain true. Sometimes ideas that are not acceptable today may be valuable for times to come.
Many times restrictions on freedom of expression become a solution to the problem in the short term and satisfy the demand of the moment, but it is very dangerous in terms of the far-reaching possibilities of freedom in the society.
️ Dimensions of Freedom :-
There are two dimensions of freedom :-
Negative Freedom :-
In the negative sense, it implies the absence of restrictions as far as possible. Because restrictions curtail personal liberty. Therefore, there should be freedom to act as desired and there should be no restriction on the actions of the person.
^ Supporters are John Stuart Mill and F. a . Hey etc.
Positive Freedom :-
Such a system under the rules and laws so that humans can develop themselves.
If the state wants to achieve the goal of public welfare, then restrictions are necessary.
Human lives in society, his actions affect the freedom of other people. Therefore its life should be regulated by the bonds.
Presence of logical bonds.
Supporter's T. NS . Green and Prof. Isaiah Berlin.
️ Sources of sanctions :-
By force and by law
Have dominance and external control
Welfare State
Due to economic inequality
Due to social inequality
️ Restrictions needed :-
For proper distribution of limited resources
To prevent collision
For the purpose of public welfare
To fulfill the rights of another person
To maintain their ideas and develop their own ways of living in a free society
️ Liberal Vs Marxist Perception :-
Liberal :-
Historically liberalism has favored free market and state minimum. However, they now recognize the role of the welfare state and believe that measures are needed to reduce social and economic inequalities.
Positive liberals (Hobbes Locke and Lasky) support that the law protects the liberty of individuals. Support reasonable restrictions to provide individuals with the best possible development opportunities in the public interest.
Liberals give priority to individual liberty over values like equality. They also generally view political power with suspicion.
Marxist notion :-
Marxists (socialists) give importance to economic freedom available in the framework of social life.
The Marxist notion of liberty aspires for its common interests for all people. Its implications are different for different classes in a bourgeois society burdened by classes. Therefore, unless the capitalist system is replaced by a socialist system, real freedom is not possible.
️ Freedom related J. s. Mill's thoughts:
️ Person's work :-
Self-contained work –
Related Tasks –
Self- related tasks: - Those tasks whose effect falls only on the person doing these tasks. There is no need for any interference from the state or any outside authority in the matter of these actions and decisions.
Related Tasks:- Those actions which have an effect on other people besides the doer. The state can impose external sanctions on such acts which can cause harm to others.
️ Principle of loss :-
Related works may cause harm to someone else, for this reason a reasonable restriction can be imposed on him. The purpose of the state to impose sanctions against the actions and will of a person is to protect others from harm.
️ Measures to protect freedom :-
Democratic Governance
Provision of Fundamental Rights
Rule of Law
Independence of the Judiciary
Decentralization of powers
Powerful opposition party
Economic equality
lack of privilege
Conscious public opinion
