Conceptions of Political Freedom

(An evaluation)
By Fahad Saleem Bombaywala

Contents:
Brief world history of conceptions of political freedom o o o o o Isaiah Berlins two concepts Libertarian conception Socialist conception Liberal conception Religions conceptions

Claim to universality Possibilities o o o Tolerance Mutual respect Interaction

Final thought

Conceptions of Political Freedom - An evaluation

By Fahad Saleem Bombaywala

Since I came out of my childhood-amnesia, Ive observed lots of people with their lots of own ideas of freedom. In my very little exposure of 25 years Ive seen people fighting/defending for freedom. I have heard stories and legends of people who died while fighting for their freedom. I remember, every time I used to hear something related to freedom I always thought... what on earth makes people go crazy for this one word?, what is it inside this word that makes people so ruthless that they insensitively slaughter millions of humans without considering the amount of suffering and pain that they are seeding in the human history. I wonder why this word freedom has always been portrayed so gloriously that people would think that this is the best thing, Man can achieve. I am neither a great philosopher nor an excellent writer who can conjure all the ideas and theories in this one session of writing but it is certain that Ill try to the best of ability to recap/present what has been done before in the name of explaining the term - freedom. A brief world history of the most prominent conceptions of freedom will be followed by possibilities of harmonious co-existence.

Conceptions of Political Freedom - An evaluation

By Fahad Saleem Bombaywala

Brief world history of conceptions of political freedom

Isaiah Berlins two concepts
The two concepts were given by Isaiah Berlin (1909 1997). a philosopher regarded as one of the leading liberal thinkers of the twentieth century. His two concepts played significant role throughout our recent history in forming and re-forming our understanding of the idea of political freedom. These concepts are famously known as Negative and Positive Concepts of Liberty. The reason for using these labels is that in the first case, liberty seems to be a mere absence of something (i.e. of obstacles, barriers, constraints or interference from others), whereas in the second case it seems to require the presence of something (i.e. of control, self-mastery, self-determination or selfrealization). In Berlin's words, we use the negative concept of liberty in attempting to answer the question What is the area within which the subject a person or group of persons is or should be left to do or be what he is able to do or be, without interference by other persons?, whereas we use the positive concept in attempting to answer the question What, or who, is the source of control or interference that can determine someone to do, or be, this rather than that?1

Libertarian concept
Libertarianism is a doctrine that holds the view that every individual is the owner of his own life. The doctrine implies that no one is the owner of anyone elses life and that every individual has the right to live his own life in accordance to his own will and choices. Some key points of this concept include that; no one is anyone elses master nor slave, life of other individual is not yours to dispose of, and that one is not suppose to rely (financially) on others, and that the role of the government should be as minimal as a night watch-dog whose purpose should only be to protect an individuals freedom from the possible interference of others. The view condemns moral cannibalism which means living the life on flesh of the others.

1.

Berlin, I., 1969, Two Concepts of Liberty, in I. Berlin, Four Essays on Liberty, London: Oxford University Press. New ed. in Berlin 2002

Conceptions of Political Freedom - An evaluation

By Fahad Saleem Bombaywala

Socialist conception
Socialist conception fall into the other extreme of political freedom by holding the view that the real freedom is to be found positively in our relations with other people. It is to be found in human community, not in isolation. So insisting on a regime of rights encourages us to view each other in ways which undermine the possibility of the real freedom we may find in human emancipation.

Liberal conception
Liberal conception or liberalism stresses the social contract, under which citizens make the laws and agree to abide by those laws. It is based on the belief that individuals know best what is best for them. Political liberalism enfranchises all adult citizens regardless of sex, race, or economic status. Political liberalism emphasizes the rule of law and supports liberal democracy.

Religious/theistic conceptions
Most of the world religions that have a very strong notion of the presence God/gods, offer freedom to its believers/followers in a different manner; Religion has always been exposed to harsh and blunt criticism, especially by modern thinker because of its increased level of determinism. In (most) religions, there is a concept of reward and punishment, adjudicated by God (or gods) to regulate and control the unjustified interference of one individual into the lives of another individuals, as well as the exploitation of the weaker by the stronger.

Claim to universality
Most of the above ideas were originally presented as universal solutions. A few of them still are seen as the one but, at the same time, most of them somehow failed to manage their credibility as being universal. The prime reason of this decline is pragmatic reality, ethnic differences and cultural diversity, sadly, after this loss of credibility, followers/bearer of the idea are, to this date, trying to impose their ideals by force. This undesired imposition of thoughts and ideals is generating anger and frustration among the suppressed. Many conflicts were and still are rising every day.

Conceptions of Political Freedom - An evaluation

By Fahad Saleem Bombaywala

Possibilities
All the wars between nations on the battle-ground of freedom have turned out to be the most damaging factor to the human race. Following are some of the remedies for the mankind. They might sound fashionable to some but they actually are the only way out from the current situation in which the mankind is chained... the three simple steps bellow may not be successful to rehabilitate people who have suffered, but will definitely (at-lest) start a healing process.

1. Tolerance
The first step, in making this world a better place to live, is tolerance. We as a nation or as a race, tribe or even as a family, must recognize that there are other social units having equal socio-political powers co-exist with us. in order to achieve tranquillity and peace, we must train ourselves and our next generations, the way to live with oppositions and contradictions- in fact we must recognise our disagreements as a helping tool in strengthening the fibre of our social fabric.

2. Mutual respect
Mutual respect is the second step that has to be taken by the human race to immediately stop all the unfair happenings around the world. This is the stage where we will acknowledge others existence. This will push hatred, envy, and revenge toward their logical ends.

3. Interaction
At this level, when we have already tolerated and then recognized other nations, tribes, and races we will be in a better position to understand their perspective and idea of life. There comes the interaction, which implies people meeting and talking, and celebrating their diversity. Intercultural exchange of literature, art, languages will bring about the change we need today and we have do it now because otherwise it will be too late or perhaps there will be no other-wise.

Conceptions of Political Freedom - An evaluation

By Fahad Saleem Bombaywala

Final thought
The above three steps reminded me of a story. When a baby born, hes all alone, but then, he starts observing and absorbing the environment around him. He immediately recognizes people around him and start accepting them. And finally his interaction starts and life goes on. But the story does not end here. This process actually gives birth to a whole new series of events (i.e. to a new life, to a new survival story, to peace and to tranquillity).

Conceptions of Political Freedom - An evaluation

By Fahad Saleem Bombaywala

Conceptions of Political Freedom - An evaluation

Submitted by Fahad Saleem Bombaywala M.A. Philosophy University of Karachi Submitted to Syed Alam Shah Naqvi Professor of Philosophy, University of Karachi Submitted: May 2009