Government or Security?

Freedom is a person’s right to act, speak or think as they wish, without being subject to the control of another, however many would argue that it is far more complex than this. For example, J.S. Mill would argue that a person’s freedom should not cause harm to another individual, whilst Immanuel Kant would argue that freedom is the ability to act in accordance with moral law and duty. Fundamentally, freedom is the right to act on your own wishes, independent of external forces. Conversely, security is the state of being protected from harm, however when demonstrated in law, security can often lead to the partial loss of a person’s autonomy. Although many may argue that security, and the consequential protection and survival it brings about, is far more important than freedom, others would rebut that freedom is a crucial aspect of the human condition that creates value in life. Regardless of these arguments, freedom and security are equally essential to society, and neither one should be forfeited for the sake of the other.

Many philosophers have asserted that freedom is a crucial component of the human condition, one that underpins society as a whole, with several of the thirty human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights explicitly mentioning freedom or liberty, including freedom of movement (Article 13), freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Article 18) and freedom of opinion and expression (Article 19). Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who described how “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains”. Rousseau demonstrates how freedom is an inherent aspect of human nature, yet one that is often limited by the constraint of society, Government and the law and the emphasis that it places upon security. The role of autonomy in humankind is supported by Jean-Paul Sartre, who proposed that we are “condemned to be free”. Sartre demonstrates the inevitable, intrinsic nature of freedom in the human condition, and maintains that autonomy is an integral part of who we are as humans. However, Sartre’s use of “condemned” portrays his view that freedom can be a burden, resulting in misery. Alternatively, J.S. Mill would argue that freedom is a gift that will enable prosperity and fulfilment, stating that “Over his own mind and body, the individual is sovereign”, illustrating his belief that humans are constitutively free, and that this freedom provides them the ability to flourish. Conclusively, freedom is a fundamental of humanity, and a right that should be protected, even if it may result in turmoil, as suggested by Sartre.

Sartre’s less optimistic view of freedom is not the only one of its kind. Thomas Hobbes, for example, explored liberty in his work, Leviathan, where he wrote that freedom can lead to conflict, due to the “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short” life and nature of humankind. Hobbes also discussed how humans need societal restraints to limit the abuse of our free will for selfish purposes. Additionally, Edmund Burke suggested that “Liberty must be limited in order to be possessed”, reflecting the belief that our selfish natures must have limitations in order for us to make full and good use of our autonomy instead of wasting it on selfish pursuits. Security is a property that is crucial for the survival of society. Without it, our freedoms, rights and lives are endangered. The importance of security is emphasised by Jidda Krishnamurti, who insisted that “There must be order, physical security, for every human being in the world”. Krishnamurti suggests that security is a necessity for society to thrive, as it prioritises the protection of humanity. Security is vital to ensure and safeguard the future of civilisation, securing our survival, and there are often times when the endurance of society and order should be paramount, rather than offering people full freedom to put themselves or others at risk.

Freedom is an inherent, essential part of the human condition that allows for progress in society, whilst security is the predicate necessary for these qualities to persevere in a prospering society. Despite freedom’s importance as a human right, it should not be cardinal at the expense of safety. Similarly, whilst security offers protection, it is worthless without autonomy, a conclusion conveyed by Benjamin Franklin, who wrote that “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”. Both freedom and security are crucial to civilisation, but neither one of these should be focused on to the detriment of the other. Governments should not prioritise freedom over security, but protection should not be secured at the cost of liberty. Instead, the key to a flourishing society is to maximise freedom without impeding on safety and protection.