The Four Freedoms | Introduction | Religion, Speech, Association, Property

Throughout history, people have fought and died for political freedom, recognising it as a fundamental human right. This desire spans cultures, encompassing the freedom to practice one's beliefs, speak freely, associate with others, and own property. These rights allow individuals to live authentically, express thoughts without fear, form communities, and manage their lives. Yet, today, these freedoms face significant threats from legislators, technocrats, and political activists who seek to suppress them for their own agendas.

In the modern West, the threats arise not from tyrants but from a culture of fear and risk aversion, where politicians and experts use "emergencies" or "crises" to justify limiting freedoms. C. S. Lewis warned that well-meaning tyranny, enforced with moral conviction, can be the most oppressive. Protecting these fundamental freedoms is crucial for progress, innovation, and meaningful lives. A society that upholds these freedoms fosters a vibrant exchange of ideas, leading to better solutions and a deeper understanding of life's biggest questions.

To dive deeper, check out the following readings:

- Franklin D. Roosevelt - 1941 State of the Union Address: The Four Freedoms (https://voicesofdemocracy.umd.edu/fdr-the-four-freedoms-speech-text)
- Os Guinness - The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai's Revolutionary Faith and the Future of Freedom (2021)
- Roger Scruton - Limits of Liberty (https://matiane.wordpress.com/2020/12/26/limits-of-liberty-by-roger-scruton)
- Benjamin Constant - The Liberty of Ancients compared with that of the Moderns (https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/constant-the-liberty-of-ancients-compared-with-that-of-moderns-1819)
- Isaiah Berlin - Two Concepts of Liberty (https://archive.org/details/Two_Concepts_Of_Liberty_Isaiah_Berlin_1958.pdf)
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John Anderson is the former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, interviewing the world's foremost thought leaders about today's pressing social, cultural and political issues.

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