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Is liberty a prerequisite for democracy, or is it the other way around?

Syed Tearney

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Liberty and democracy are interdependent concepts: while democracy guarantees the rights of citizens to choose their leaders and express their opinions, liberty is necessary for people to exercise these rights. It is difficult, therefore, to assert that one is a prerequisite for the other, as they are both essential ingredients for a thriving society.

However, the idea that liberty is a prerequisite for democracy seems to be more compelling. A democratic society presupposes an environment where individuals are free to think and act, where they are free to assemble and speak their views, and where there is no fear of censorship or persecution. This is impossible without liberty. It could be argued that democracy is a system designed to protect liberty, rather than a means to achieve it.

One could also take into account the many examples of nations that have managed to uphold democratic values despite their limitations on personal liberty. China, for instance, is a country with an authoritarian government that stifles freedom of expression and thought, yet it remains an economic powerhouse and is home to more than a billion people. Similarly, Singapore is known for its strict laws and limited press freedom, but it has been a stable democracy for over 50 years.

Moreover, the idea that democracy is a prerequisite for liberty is not entirely convincing either. There are plenty of examples throughout history where people have been free from government tyranny but lacked the chance to vote for their leaders. In ancient Greece, for instance, the concept of liberty was central, but only men who owned property were given the right to participate in the democratic process. In modern times, the same is true in many countries where democracy is at best nascent or nonexistent. Even in developed countries like the United States, where democracy is strong, individuals still face limitations on their personal liberties, such as the right to privacy or the right to healthcare.

In conclusion, both liberty and democracy are necessary conditions for a thriving society, but it is liberty that is fundamental to democratic values. Liberties facilitate democracy by allowing individuals to express themselves and to act in accordance with their beliefs. By contrast, democracy is not a guarantee of liberty, as individual liberties can be inhibited by constraints such as economic inequality, social norms, and other factors. Ultimately, the two concepts are mutually reinforcing, in that democracy furthers the cause of liberty, while liberty is necessary for the sustenance of democracy.