A country's strength increases in direct proportion to its freedoms.

A country's strength increases in direct proportion to its freedoms.

12-12:30

Over the course of human civilization there have been  many forms of government ranging from monarchies, anarchies and empires. As time progressed and conflicts arose, newer countries were formed that had a common set of goals and interests different from others. Each country has its own set of rules, restrictions and freedoms that apply to the common citizens of the community. However, each country may have varying perceptions of their strength and success as a single entity. In some cases, strength can refer to population size or how the country is doing economically. A nation with strength tend to usually have a society with order, less crime and high economic stability. Despite this, a country’s strength may or may not be proportional to its  freedoms.

First consider a situation in which a country’s strength are in direct proportion with freedoms. Consider the democracy of the United States, which is viewed as the world’s strongest democracy that bases its actions on the Constitution and the Bill of the Rights. The Bill of Rights, comprising the first 10 amendments, gives fundamental rights to various types of expression. Since the birth of this great democracy, freedom of speech has changed the face of the country and allowed for  people to interact with each other in many faces. For example, in the early 1900s the Industrial Revolution ushered in a time of enlightenment and rejuvenation for the American people. With the freedom of expression and thought many inventors and innovators were able to introduce new technologies that would benefit the human race with new forms of communication, transportation, and living as a whole. For instance, Thomas Edison invented the first incandescent lamp subsequently a light bulb that would allow people to see in the dark. This allowed for citizens to be more productive than in the past and darkness did not halt people from completing daily tasks. Next, Henry Ford and the Wright Brothers revolutionized the realm of transportation. Henry Ford, invented the automobile that allowed faster land transport than the analogous horse buggy. Soon, the Wright Brothers introduced the concept of flight through multiple tests and were successful in making the first airplanes in history. Due to the freedoms laid out by the Constitution, it is possible for the country’s economical and societal strength to proliferate. Therefore the US is still considered a strong global superpower due its freedoms.

On the other hand consider a situation in which a country’s strength is not in direct proportion with freedoms. Take for example, the booming democracy of India. Since the birth of the democracy in 1947, India has  had many obstacles to reach the position as global superpower. Despite the flourishing economy it is a nation divided by the Malthusian ethic. The Malthusian ethic states that the wealthy upper classes should control the lower classes with rules that allow for the upper classes to thrive. The biggest problem in India that is contributing to the for deteriorating strength and unity is from corruption and class divide. The caste system has been present since ancient times but is still widely being used today to sometimes restrict individuals for educational and job opportunities. Likewise, corruption is also very widespread in daily living from the lower order of society to an executive in a company. For instance, a student who wants to get into college can pay a “donation fee” to get a seat in a college of their choosing and waiver from taking entrance exams. Likewise, in the work place and law enforcement people bribe official to give them a higher position in a company or lessen the severity of a punishment from the police for a crime. Hence, India is still divided today on class basis and caste. Therefore, India is an example where rules are not well implemented resulting in a divided society and that the strength of the nation is not in proportion with freedoms.

In all it is circumstantial for a country’s strength  to be in direct proportion with freedoms. If a country, like the US, follows and implements rules as well as freedoms equally for all people it will flourish and become strong. In contrast, if a nation like India does not give equal opportunity and freedom will have a weak society in many aspects.