Ancient Freedom Research Paper

Words: 493
Pages: 2

Constant defines ancient freedom as "exercising collectively, but directly, several parts of the complete sovereignty; in deliberating, in the public square, over war and peace" (Constant 6). In acting as one whole, those who belong to the community, in ancient times, sacrificed their individual rights for the good of the social whole. A person following ancient freedom allows the society to control their personal lives including their opinions, careers, and religion. When participating in the social whole one was able to make decisions and judge other people's choices, but one, when acting outside of the social whole, is completely restrained and submissive to the commands of the social whole. However, their freedom came from their ability to participate in the government, and this freedom came with a sacrifice …show more content…
All these rights and even more sum up what it means to be individually independent, which is what modern society strives for. Unlike ancient freedom, individuals are able to freely live their personal lives to a much greater extent; however, the only way people can participate as a regular citizen is in voting for higher authorities to enforce laws for the social whole and to participate on a jury when given the opportunity. This form of freedom strives towards peace by using commerce rather than war. Commerce allows individual desires to be fulfilled on both sides of the exchange without intervention from the government. Individual freedom, or modern freedom (as Constant calls it), allows society to become more progressive and accomplish tasks that would not have been comprehensible in ancient freedom. One of the biggest debates of today's society is focused on