More recently, the concept of "freedom of choice" in certain circles got some negative color.Same as "liberal", "tolerance" and other concepts associated with Western democratic values.And it is at least strange.
Evolution of freedom of choice
ownership, and that such freedom of choice?In a broad sense it is - the human right to determine their destiny according to their own desires, tastes and beliefs.Antithesis of freedom - slavery.The situation in which a person can not choose anything.Eat that give lives, which will help, does that say.Even such a seemingly natural right to love, to choose the person with whom you want to be a slave is missing.
And the further away people from slavery, the greater the opportunity to choose.Family.Place of living.Performance.Lifestyle.Religion.Political beliefs.
Freedom of choice by no means all-permissiveness.It does not undo discipline, does not negate the responsibility to society, it does not negate the duty.Moreover, it implies full awareness of the consequences of his act.
Choice and responsibility for it
As a child everyone has heard the tale in which the hero, standing in front of the stone, read: "To the left you will go ... go right ... Just go ...»
So, in fact, looks like the freedom to choose the person.Awareness of opportunities and taking responsibility for the consequences.After all, no one is in the head would not come at the end of history, when faced with the performance prediction, the hero suddenly indignant cry: "How is it - the horse will lose?What are you, crazy?You never know what and where it is written ?! »
Likewise is the case with the free and informed choices.A man acquainted with the prospects, thought about everything and made the decision, fully aware of its consequences and taking responsibility for them.It is this freedom of choice is different from permissiveness.
Actually, that is why the right to make any important decisions a person receives only after reaching adulthood.He is old enough to appreciate the consequences of their actions, and thus be able to make an informed decision.The right to freedom of choice implies the obligation to be responsible for this choice.
dictatorship or democracy
There are always supporters of the "strong" vertical of power, considering the root of all the ills of democracy and the Liberals.They argue that the state make decisions for citizens - option is far more promising and reliable than the state, based on the political system which is the law of freedom of choice.Because people in the mass is not too smart and far-sighted, as opposed to the official authorities.
does not sound too humanely.But let's say these people are right.Indeed, there is here a hypothetical country with a very stupid people who do not know what he wants.And the government, composed of the representatives is not the same short-sighted population, and most of the other people, apparently imported from far away, from the places where people live smart.But surely, in this case the task of the authorities is not working on educational programs, to improve the cultural level of the country?Just as parents teach and educate the child, but do not lock it forever in the children, citing inexperience and naivety of the ward.
Freedom and the evolution of the political system
Even Winston Churchill said that democracy is bad, but better, unfortunately, nothing came up.Because it can grow and develop only a free being.
Cogs Empire - is, of course, perfect.And in its own way, too grandly.But the outlook from metal parts is extremely limited, and the desire to develop non-existent.Anything that can screw - is working.Or - not work depending on the situation.Not so great choice.
Alas, according to historical examples, the higher the level of development of society - the higher the level of freedom of an individual.These values are obviously correlated.
Evolving from the slave system to the feudal, from the feudal to the capitalist, the state is increasingly pushing the boundaries of individual rights and freedoms.
Evolution of static
history clearly shows that freedom of choice of the person as a citizen and the person - the basis of progress.None of the dictatorship did not reach long-term success.All of them, sooner or later collapsed or adapted to a changing world.Even the most well-known and successful, such as China or Japan, there were dozens of centuries, but little developed.Yes, they were perfect in its own way - just as perfect a perfectly balanced mechanism.But all their history - is not the way to create a new and infinite improvement of existing.
and qualitative leap in the development of these countries occurred only after the borders of the old system was broken.The level of personal liberty Chinaman twenty-first century does not go to any comparison with the standards of life of the nineteenth century Chinese.But the country from a closed, practically devoid of the real influence of the state has become one of the heavyweights of world politics and economy.
Freedom of choice and the rule of law
In today's world the concept of "freedom of choice" - is not an abstract philosophical term.
This phrase has a very specific semantic content, enforceable standards, both international and national law.The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees everyone the freedom, equality, security and the right to express their beliefs, regardless of race, age, sexual orientation or religion.The same standards are guaranteed by the constitutions of many countries and their applicable legislation.
Of course, this does not mean that the police can not hit a club peaceful demonstrators.Maybe.But he is thus violating the law.And there is at least a theoretical possibility of an official investigation and punishment of the offender.A hundred years ago about any recovery of the service and the speech would not go - simply because nobody forbade the police batons to beat those whom they regarded as criminals.
world without freedom of choice
freedom of residence is also now seen as something absolutely natural.Of course, a person can live wherever he wants - provided that enough money to buy a house or apartment.Even the idea that you need to apply for permission to move, it seems strange.
But serfdom was abolished in 1861, just 150 years ago.Prior to that, almost half of the inhabitants of Russia had no right to change the place of residence without permission of the owner-landlord.Yes there place of residence ... The landowner could sell peasant personal will judge him, up to physical violence or links to hard labor.At the same right to complain to the master from serf was not.They were officially forbidden to submit petitions to the king.
farmers in the Soviet Union until the 70s did not have a passport.And because without this document to move around the country it was impossible, then leave his place of residence could not peasants.Otherwise, they face a fine or even arrest.Thus, the peasants were tied to his farm.And it is - only 45 years ago.
buyer's choice
Freedom of choice - not only the term of the public and political life.This is - an essential attribute of economic realities.
right and the opportunity to buy that thing, what you want, not the one which can be.If the counter is only one kind of bread, nor what kind of speech is not freedom of choice.Unless, of course, do not consider the option of "buy or not buy this at all."To select need at least one alternative.
And it is a choice - a lever that pushes the economy forward.Manufacturer no need to raise the quality of goods.What for?The extra effort, extra costs.But if there is a competitor and offers the consumer an alternative ... That's when it makes sense to try.
excellent illustration of this thesis - the domestic auto industry.The lack of competition allows to produce machines of extremely poor quality and not worry about the presence of clientele.But as soon as the consumer an opportunity to choose similar approach proved unacceptable.The manufacturer was forced to simply update the lineup and modernize production.Otherwise, customers simply would not find.
Choose manufacturer
the same right to enjoy the freedom of choice and entrepreneurs.
man decides where he wants to work.State institutions, industrial enterprise, freelancing, entrepreneurship - open all the way.You can even not work at all if absolutely do not want.The main thing - do not complain afterwards that nothing is.In a free country of employment rights - it is a personal choice.The entrepreneur decides how and what it will produce, the state's task - to make sure that products meet all standards and requirements.This is the freedom of choice.Economy - a living organism, it tends to self-regulation as well as the natural system.The state's task - to make sure that the free market does not turn into a kind of jungle.
