The concept of freedom is one of the most revered principles in human society. From political revolutions to personal liberties, freedom has been championed as the foundation of human dignity and progress. However, freedom without security is not only impractical but also a contradiction in terms. Security is the very bedrock that makes freedom meaningful and sustainable. Without security, freedom degenerates into chaos, leaving individuals vulnerable to violence, instability, and oppression. This essay will explore why freedom without security is a nonsensical idea by examining the interdependence of the two concepts, historical examples, and the practical implications for governance and society.
The Interdependence of Freedom and Security
Freedom and security are often mistakenly viewed as opposing forces, where more security supposedly leads to less freedom and vice versa. However, this dichotomy is misleading. Security is the framework that allows freedom to exist in a meaningful way. Without security, individuals cannot exercise their freedoms without fear of harm or coercion.
Consider the freedom of speech. Without the security of laws protecting individuals from violent retaliation, people would be too afraid to express their opinions openly. Similarly, economic freedom is meaningless if individuals are constantly at risk of theft, fraud, or exploitation. A free society depends on the presence of security measures—laws, law enforcement, and social stability—to ensure that freedoms are protected rather than overridden by brute force or criminal activity.
Historical Lessons: The Collapse of Societies Lacking Security
History provides numerous examples of societies that have attempted to prioritize absolute freedom without ensuring adequate security, often leading to disaster. The French Revolution of 1789 is a classic example. The revolutionaries sought to overthrow the monarchy and establish liberty, but in the absence of strong institutions to maintain security, the revolution quickly devolved into the Reign of Terror. Freedom turned into anarchy, where suspicion and lawlessness resulted in mass executions and widespread fear.
Similarly, the Weimar Republic in Germany after World War I attempted to establish a liberal democracy with extensive freedoms. However, the lack of security—both in terms of economic stability and public order—led to social unrest, making it easy for extremists to seize power. The result was the rise of the Nazi regime, which obliterated the very freedoms the republic had tried to establish.
In more recent times, failed states such as Libya and Somalia serve as stark reminders that freedom without security creates a vacuum that is often filled by warlords, extremists, and criminal elements. The absence of security does not lead to more freedom but rather to the oppression of the weak by the strong.
Practical Implications for Governance and Society
A well-functioning society requires a careful balance between freedom and security. Governments must create and enforce laws that protect individuals while ensuring that security measures do not become instruments of oppression. Democracies with strong institutions, such as the United States, Canada, and European nations, have established legal frameworks that protect individual freedoms while maintaining internal security through policing, intelligence agencies, and the rule of law.
The COVID-19 pandemic provided a real-world test of the balance between freedom and security. While many people resisted restrictions such as lockdowns and mask mandates on the grounds of personal liberty, these measures were necessary to protect public health. Societies that failed to implement effective security measures suffered higher death tolls, economic instability, and prolonged disruptions to daily life, ultimately reducing overall freedom.
The Illusion of Absolute Freedom
Some argue that security measures, especially those imposed by the state, infringe upon individual freedoms. While it is true that excessive surveillance or authoritarian rule can threaten liberty, the absence of security measures does not equate to more freedom. Instead, it creates conditions where the strong exploit the weak, where crime and instability make life unbearable, and where people are unable to exercise their rights due to constant threats.
An ideal society is one where people enjoy both freedom and security in a complementary manner. The U.S. Constitution, for example, enshrines freedoms such as speech, religion, and assembly, while also emphasizing the role of government in ensuring domestic tranquility and national defense. This demonstrates that freedom is not the absence of restrictions but rather the presence of protections that allow individuals to live freely without fear.
Conclusion
The idea that freedom can exist meaningfully without security is not only impractical but also dangerous. Security provides the necessary structure within which freedom can flourish. Without security, freedom becomes an illusion, accessible only to those with the power to impose their will on others. Historical evidence and modern governance models show that the most successful societies are those that integrate security and freedom in a balanced and just manner. As such, the pursuit of freedom must always be accompanied by a commitment to security, ensuring that liberties are protected, not just theoretically, but in practice.
Food For Thought: The U.S. prides itself on the right to bear arms and an economic system that rewards individual success. However, both of these freedoms—when left unchecked—undermine the very security that makes freedom meaningful. The widespread availability of firearms, coupled with minimal regulation, has led to an epidemic of gun violence. The promise of self-defense is overshadowed by the reality of mass shootings, rising crime, and a society where safety is compromised by the very tools meant to ensure liberty.
Similarly, unregulated capitalism has concentrated immense wealth in the hands of a few, leaving millions economically insecure. When the top three billionaires own more wealth than the bottom 160 million Americans, it is clear that the system prioritizes unchecked financial freedom over the security of a stable and equitable society. Extreme wealth inequality fosters social unrest, weakens democracy, and erodes the economic mobility that is supposed to define the American Dream.
A society where individuals live in fear of gun violence and economic deprivation is not truly free. Security is the foundation upon which meaningful freedom rests. Without sensible regulations on firearms and economic policies that promote broad-based prosperity, the U.S. risks perpetuating a system where freedom exists only for the privileged few while the majority are left vulnerable.