Defining Freedom

If we assume that revolution creates change, then it makes since that no revolutions come to an end, as our society and world never approach a Utopian equilibrium where no changes should be made.

For example, our definition of freedom is constantly changing and a global definition of this idea will probably not be adopted. Recently, this conversation was sparked by the Snowden leaks of the PRISM program and whether his actions are protected by the Constitution. With these changing definitions of freedom and ongoing talks about revolution, will we ever be able to adopt a global Bill of Rights? Or should each country adopt their own Bill?

A couple of the guaranteed rights we read about this week got me thinking about how we define freedom. I noticed that I reacted positively to some of the rights, and negatively to others. The two below are examples of ones that I reacted slightly negatively to. 

1)      In the South African Bill of Rights, recently adopted in 1996, the first right reads: “You cannot be discriminated against. But affirmative action and fair discrimination are allowed.” This right is similar to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission established by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the United States. These programs have recently been criticized for their contradiction, as seen in the South African Bill. Are people free to choose who they hire? Or can we develop a process that fairly discriminates?

2)      In the Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Right section XIX, part b) reads “Each of the partners in a marriage is entitled to respect and consideration from the other.” While part c) reads “Every husband is obligated to maintain his wife and children according to his means.” From my perspective, this seems like a contradiction. One Right is telling me that the husband has the power, while another says that they should share familial power. Which one is it?

I I believe that this is where the cultural context comes into play. I have not traveled much in the Middle East and I was not in Southern Africa during apartheid. Without these experiences, how can I understand how they define freedom differently than how the US defines freedom?

I honestly cannot see a simple solution to the problem of defining freedom together. If we define freedom culturally, then a global Bill of Rights like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from the UN is both pointless and impossible to enforce.

I do think that part of this problem is me. I do not know how I would define freedom if asked, so maybe defining freedom on an individual level is important to moving forward towards true freedom and guaranteed rights. How would you guys define freedom? Is it different from the definitions supported by the constitutional rights discussed in the four that we read this week? Which one do you relate to the most?