On Freedom and Democracy

And Timothy Snyder’s book, On Freedom

Honestly, I hardly know what would be useful to write about these days. These are, indeed, dark and strange times.

When I was focused more on photography, I used to write a lot about learning to see the small, ordinary things; what’s often overlooked. Everything in a photograph contributes to the final image, and often the little things can make all the difference. It is also true that the amount and direction of light strongly impacts what we see. If the light is too bright, it blows out details. If the light is too dim, it erases any detail in the dark places and can highlight what is lit up, like the marbled surface of my kitchen counter above. So, Roethke was right in saying that in the dark, sometimes you see things that you wouldn’t see in the light of day.

Whether you think we’re in a dark time right now, or not, it’s important to look carefully at what is happening. What is being highlighted? What is being overlooked? As for me, I’ve been thinking and reading about freedom, something that I could probably safely say is the highest value for many of us. And, if you’ve been lucky to have freedom in your life, as I have, it’s easy to take it for granted. I think it’s important to notice the small ways in which it might be being taken away, if not for you, for others.

What is freedom to you?

For me, freedom means the ability to make my own choices, to have access to knowledge and health, to go where I want and do what I want. From a work perspective, it’s been important for me to work mostly on my own, to create my own courses, and write in a way that suits me. I’ve been very lucky to have this kind of personal freedom for most of my life.

But, not everyone is so lucky. My freedom has been a privilege, not solely determined by me. It depended upon the place where I was born, the colour of my skin, and the family I was born into, as well as the people I’ve met along the way, and the access I’ve had to opportunities and resources. Part of that comes from living in what is called a democratic country.

Democracy is a system of government in which the power of the state comes from the people through their elected representatives. It is very much tied to freedom and some are more free than others, even in a democratic society. A country can’t be free; only the people that live there can be free. And, their freedom is determined by the institutions and structures that enable them to be free. So, a society is democratic insofar as their people are free.

My own country of Canada is currently having its own sovereignty threatened by an economic trade war with the United States. Just a few days ago, our outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in his farewell speech, “This is a nation-defining moment. Democracy is not a given. Freedom is not a given. Even Canada is not a given.” (New York Times)

I am a senior citizen and have always felt free. I’ve never had to face war or been forced to flee my country, as so many currently are. Trudeau was telling us to pay attention to where and how our freedom may be taken away.

I get some of my news from historians because, with their knowledge of historical patterns, they seem to see more clearly what’s happening in the moment. Two of my favourite writers/historians are Heather Cox Richardson (for U.S. history, Letters from an American) and Timothy Snyder (historian of Eastern Europe and the Holocaust, Thinking About).

Recently, I read Snyder’s new book, On Freedom, after hearing him speak on Sharon McMahon’s podcast. The book explores “the question of what freedom is, how it’s been misunderstood, and why it’s our only chance for survival.”

“History is the foundation of freedom. When we think historically, we see structures inherited from the past, plausible choices in the present, and multiple possibilities in the future.” ~ Timothy Snyder, On Freedom

The Book, On Freedom

Snyder distinguishes between two ways of looking at freedom. Some look at it as only “freedom from,” or an absence of barriers - from oppression, government regulations, etc. He calls this “negative freedom.” This limits freedom to the individual and ignores the freedom of others. Sometimes, restraints on freedom are necessary so that all may be free. There is another side of freedom, that is, the “freedom to,” or the ability to do what is right or good or best for all. It is about building structures and institutions that allow people to be free. Snyder calls this “positive freedom.”

The book is based on five forms that freedom takes, which I’ve outlined below.

Sovereignty is developing capacities and skills so that you have authority over your own body and mind. This is the work of childhood, and it depends on your environment and caretakers, as well as structures that are already in place, like access to education and health care, clean air and water, and nutritious food.

Unpredictability is nurtured in adolescence when you realize what values are important to you and then are able to realize those values. Snyder calls this being unruly and lively, in other words, unpredictable. Sometimes, one must stand up for their values, even if it means upsetting the status quo. Often, the major changes in the world (positive and negative) happen due to the unpredictable actions of people. Freedom is “not about being right, which is elusive, but about trying to do right.”

Mobility has to do with the paths open to us as we become fully functioning adults. Everyone needs the capacity to move freely and to have opportunities available. You need to be able to get where you need to go, both literally and metaphorically.

In my country, access to public education, health care, and pensions has led to increased mobility for many. But, mobility may be limited by mental or physical disabilities, or restricted by discrimination based on race, class, or gender. No one can have mobility without assistance. We need access to health care, as well as maintained roads and rails and trails, public transportation and accessible entrances.

Prison is an example of the ultimate of immobility. And, it not only affects the one incarcerated but their families as well. The huge increase in incarceration in the U.S. over the past few decades has made many people immobile.

“Freedom begins with the body and with recognition of the bodies of others.”

Factuality is having access to knowledge and facts so that we see clearly what’s happening in the world and what changes are needed. Factuality takes work through good public education and scientific research. It depends on people being willing to hear the truth.

Snyder writes, “When we are open to facts, they help us to be unpredictable and therefore free. Facts are not what we expect and want. They knock holes in our prejudices. They challenge what people around us think. Values will vary from person to person and so it must be facts that anchor conversation about which structures we decide to build together.”

And yet, Snyder says that generating facts and affirming truth is not enough. We need institutions, local reporting, and policies that serve freedom.

Solidarity is the act of working together so that all will be free. Vaclav Havel, former President of Czechoslovakia, famously said, “No freedom without solidarity.”

We will always have differences in a democratic society. Tension and conflict are a part of it. But, we can still work towards justice and equality for all. We can learn to listen better and try to understand the experiences of others who may be very different from us. Only then will we be able to build the structures we need.

Snyder says that the opposite of solidarity is escapism. When you are only concerned with your own freedom and blind to the unfreedom of others, you will obstruct the work of freedom for all. When we think of freedom only as an absence of barriers, we forget individual people and their needs.

Conclusion

Some of the basic tenets of life and freedom have to do with rights. By virtue of our birth, we should all have the right to health, safety, clean air and water, nutritious food, shelter, and supportive relationships. Notice where rights are being diminished. Are certain groups being targeted?

While voting seems like an individual act, Snyder says that it is actually an act of applied solidarity. If you have the ability to vote, it’s also important that you work so that everyone has the same right. Voting is a right, as well as a duty. Where are voting rights being taken away? What about access to voting for all?

Which brings me to freedom of speech, which isn’t just a matter of removing barriers to speech. That’s a negative view of free speech. Anyone can say anything; that is true. But, if you say something, it can also be countered by facts or called out if it’s expressing hate. In a positive sense, freedom of speech would protect those who speak truth to power (whistleblowers). Freedom of speech means feeling safe to express oneself, not threatened by death or loss of a job. It’s also about having the ability to learn, and having access to journalism, science, and other education. How is speech being stifled, even threatened? What about the right to protest?

“Freedom is not us against the world, but us within the world, knowing it and changing it.” Snyder says that freedom is an ongoing practice, the work of generations.

I hope that this post has gotten you thinking about your own freedom (or lack of freedom) and the freedom of others. I highly recommend reading Snyder’s book, or at least some of his recent posts (see below). What are your most important values? Where are you seeing freedom being taken away? How are you working for freedom for all?

Resources

Snyder discusses the book in the New York Times.

Baird Brightman also wrote about the book here.

“People living in democracies are more secure, prosperous, and safe than those in unfree settings – and declines in freedom lead to declines in prosperity and security, and create a more dangerous world.” ~ John K. Glenn via Timothy Snyder, What Democracy Brings

Timothy Snyder response to Jeff Bezos on personal liberties and free markets.