freedom

the condition of being free

the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints immunity from an obligation or duty

Political freedom is the right, or the capacity, of self-determinationas an expression of the individual will.

Philosophy of political freedom - Philosophers have identified a positive and negative aspect to the concept of "freedom". "Positive freedom" may generally be defined as the ability of an individual to act to fulfill their potential (see positive liberty). "Negative freedom" may generally be defined as the absence of constraint upon an individual (see negative liberty).For example, according to Thomas Hobbes an individual is free to act when the law does not prohibit an act or is otherwise silent on the matter. Isaiah Berlin and others examined the difference between the positive and negative views of freedom in his 1958 essay ''Two Concepts of Liberty''.One of the most notable contributors to the modern concept of political freedom was the Victorian eraVictorian philosopher John Stuart Mill who, in his magnus opus ''On Liberty'', outlined several freedoms which did not exist during the Victorian period in United KingdomBritain. He largely based his political philosophy on the harm principle, which essentially posits that people should be allowed to do as they wish provided others are not physically harmed.Following from this distinction, when an individual is free from social and political ills they may enjoy safety or security, while an individual who is free to act generally enjoys liberty.

Types of freedom - The concept of political freedom is closely allied with the concepts of civil liberties and human rights, and the fundamental idea of positive and negative freedom corresponds with the concept of positive rightpositive and negative rightnegative rights.Most democracydemocratic societies are characterised by various freedoms which are afforded the legal protection of the state. Some of these freedoms include (in alphabetical order):

Freedom of assembly

Freedom of association

Freedom from discrimination

Freedom of movement (or travel)

Freedom of the press

Freedom of religion (or belief)

Freedom of speech

Freedom of thought (or conscience)The constitutions of many nations specifically codify some of these freedoms in a bill of rights.

Different views on political freedom - Various groups along the political spectrum naturally differ on what they consider constitutes "true" political freedom.In right-wing libertarianism (i.e., libertarianism as it is understood in Britain and the United States; see libertarian socialism for libertarianism as it is understood in most of the rest of the world), freedom is defined in terms of lack of government interference; in particular, capitalists place a high value on freedom from government interference in the economy. This kind of freedom may be referred to as a kind of negative liberty.On the other hand, those on the Left-wing politicspolitical left place more emphasis on freedom as the ability of the individual to realize one's own potential and pursue happiness. Freedom in this sense may include freedom from want, poverty, deprivation, or oppression. These kinds of freedom may be referred to as positive liberty.Many anarchismanarchists see negative and positive liberty as complementary concepts of freedom.Environmentalists such as the Greens often argue that political freedoms should include some social constraint on use of ecosystems. They maintain there is no such thing, for instance, as "freedom to pollute" or "freedom to deforest" given the downstream consequences. The popularity of SUVs, golf, and urban sprawl has been used as evidence that some ideas of freedom and ecological conservation can clash. This leads at times to serious confrontations and clashes of values reflected in advertising campaigns, e.g. that of PETA regarding fur.In jurisprudence, freedom is the right to autonomously determine one's own actions; generally it is granted in those fields in which the subject has no obligations to fulfill or laws to obey, according to the interpretation that the hypothetical natural unlimited freedom is limited by the law for some matters.

Recent trends in political freedom around the world - In modern times the expansion of "freedom" around the world is generally considered synonymous with increased participation in democracydemocratic political systems.During the 20th century overall, there was a dramatic growth in democracy, especially among the developed countrymore developed countries, and decline in monarchy and colonialism. However, there was also an increase in various types of authoritarianismauthoritarian regimes, and currently 33 percent of people in less developed countryless developed countries live in countries subject to some kind of authoritarian rule.In the last several decades, there has only been moderate growth in freedom, and as of 2000, about 40% of people in developing countries still live in countries which lack political freedoms.

Famous sayings -

!"Eλε&upsil on;θερι α? η !θανατ ος"? (Freedom or Death!)
—CreteCretan War cry.

"Give me Liberty or give me Death!"
—Patrick Henry

External links -

freedomhouse.org - Democracy's Century

democ.uci.edu - Center for the study of democracy

ifex.org - International Freedom of Expression Exchange

mrlincolnandfreedom.org - Mr. Lincoln and !FreedomCategory:Freedomde:Frei heitfr:libertésv:Frihetzh: 3258;由? !(政治)el:Ελευ� �ερια

Natural Freedom
Natural Freedom has been produced to lead people into freedom, (a state of being in which we experience wellbeing, health and healing), to help this world to become a more loving, peaceful, trusting, friendlier, healthier world. Being simply, naturally nude releases us into freedom.
http://www.natural-freedom.org/

The Aberdeen Foundation
Human and Civil Rights foundation centering on helping the sick and poor. Free online books, music and related materials. Many links to various information.
http://www.freedomtracks.com/

FunTeaching
This website was born as a personal file to host some of the most meaningful experiences out of classroom experimentation and action-research. It is also a virtual place to share teaching Units and materials. It is structured into levels containing teaching materials from classroom experimentations: graded interactive reading and writing activities; modules and Teaching Units; project works. The Teacher Training link is an attempt to share experiences with the other teachers of English working in Italy. Here you can find the products of a personal teaching experience and group-work research as TESOL-Italy member.
http://www.funteaching.it/

access to Uncensored and ANONYMOUS usenet
Instantly tap into the World's Largest Online Community and Communicate with over 25 million regular newsgroup users with over 100,000 Uncensored newsgroups
http://www.usenetservices.com/

Organised Adversary
Anything and everything.
http://www.adversary.org/

The Alexander Technique in Paris and New York
A teacher's website offering introductions to the Alexander Technique, private lessons, and group workshops in Paris and New York. Sign up for LookAlive, a free newsletter.
http://www.alexisniki.com/

Daily News on Kashmir
Kashmir Watch-Global Watch
http://www.kashmirwatch.com/

Destiny Youth
A site dedicated to on-fire christian youth with news, forums, quiz questions and encouragement for you to hit your God given destiny!
http://www.destinyyouth.org/

The ThirdEye Concept
News, music and forum discussions on politics, religion, science, ancient civilizations, supernatural truths, astronomical discoveries, and much more. These aren't part of your every-day, typical headlines or conversations.
http://www.thirdeyeconcept.com/

Thinkin' Outside The Barn
Dan Ohler is a relationship, change, and happiness specialist. Through Dan’s insights & humour you learn to apply the basics of human psychology – the natural laws that create life-long flourishing relationships, and abounding success. Visit www.ThinkinOutsideTheBarn.com to subscribe to Dan’s FREE e-zine, “Soaring Insights”, and see Dan in action while you’re there!
http://www.thinkinoutsidethebarn.com/

Fallen Heroes Memorial
An online memorial for all of the fallen servicemembers of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, including photos and visitor-submitted messages
http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com/

Awakening public interest in Freedom of Information
Informational brochure series about the Scientology religion and its activities.
http://www.right2know.net/

White Line Monthly Motorcycle Magazine
World's first online monthly motorcycle magazine in a home printable format! This monthly magazine is FREE for all motorcycle enthusiasts from the casual rider to the hard core biker. We have articles, babe of the month, jokes and more, in a true magazine format that you can print from home ANYTIME!!
http://www.whitelinemagazine.com/

*THE WORLDWIDE AFFILIATE NETWORK {T.W.A.N.}
The organization whose membership is fully accepted at the more open-minded locations. The worldwide Network of Open-minded Friends with Alternative Lifestyles. Wanting to be part of an inclusive Network rather than finding yourself like an alienated outsider when it has to do with Alternative Lifestyles? Then, come and join T.W.A.N., the Network that goes boldly in promoting being At Ease With Nudity. No pretenses, no denials, plain friendly people and scope!
http://www.the-worldwide-affiliate-network.com/

The Niquahanam Project: Help to Heal the World
A place to share ideas, opinions, experience on a wide variety of topics with the intention of choosing and creating a positive future.
http://www.niquahanam.com/

Find Your Why & Fly
Personal Development Company for motivation, business coaching, trainings and personal coaching. Network Marketing training and coaching is another main focus.
http://www.findyourwhy.com/

www.WritingResource.org/
This non-profit is a primary resource for writers, readers, teachers, students, and professionals. It is dedicated to rhetoric, the art of communication. For those with a passion for language, reading, stories, poetry, drama, and literature, this is the place. We provide sources and resources for grammar, style, tutoring, quotations, dictionaries, proofreading, esl, ennl, creative writing, translation, publishing, journalism, and editing. Portals to activism, civic commitment, and social change are included. Welcome and enjoy!
http://www.WritingResource.org/

Free Speech Radio - KPFK
Listener sponsored, non-corporate, radio with news, cultural programming, historical programs.
http://www.kpfk.org/

The Savvy Entrepreneur
We provide our clients professional and confidential advise to help them find a business that will be best for them. We help our clients find a franchise/business that they are qualified to purchase and operate. We also ensure that the business will suit their desired dreams and goals. As our client a big part of our strategy is to look out for YOUR interest.
http://www.thesavvye.com/

Ayn Rand Institute - Obectivism
Ayn Rand Institute - the authorative source on Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism - a philosophy for living on Earth.
http://www.AynRand.org

TheHempDaddy.com
hemp daddy,Quality Hemp Jewelry, Tribal Jewelry, Hippy necklaces, Cowry shell necklaces, Hemp activism, pro-marijuana, Freedom,hemp necklaces
http://www.thehempdaddy.com/

Delysia.de
This site's about my experiences with cannabis, law and democracy, reviewed under the aspects of freedom, society and justice.
http://www.delysia.de/

Der Invest Informant
international perspectives for capital preservation and growth
http://www.derinvestinformant.com/

The Freedom Forum Online
A nonpartisan, international foundation advocating free press and speech rights for all people. Holds conferences, educational activities, publishing, broadcasting, online services, fellowships, partnerships, research and other programs.
http://www.freedomforum.org/

Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
Non-profit, non-partisan organization, founded by Mitch Kapor and John Perry Barlow, working to protect fundamental civil liberties, including privacy and freedom of expression, in the arena of computers and the Internet.
http://www.eff.org/

American Civil Liberties Union
Advocating individual rights, by litigating, legislating, and educating the public on a broad array of issues affecting individual freedom in the United States.
http://www.aclu.org/

Freedom House
Dedicated to promoting free institutions worldwide. Publishes surveys detailing state of civil liberties, political rights, economic freedom, religious freedom, and press freedom around the world.
http://freedomhouse.org

Zero-Knowledge Systems Inc.
Software called "Freedom" protects the privacy of web browsing and email, without the user having to do anything. Site also has news on Internet privacy and other issues.
http://www.freedom.net/