Towards a Worldwide Index of Human Freedom
Towards a Worldwide Index of Human Freedom
Towards a Worldwide Index of Human Freedom
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48 • <strong>Towards</strong> a <strong>Worldwide</strong> <strong>Index</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Freedom</strong><br />
freedom or whether it falls under personal freedom. The former would<br />
appear to be the most appropriate. For example, it is easily possible to<br />
imagine a regime that does not restrict assembly for personal or religious<br />
activities—for example, marriage or religious festivals—but does restrict<br />
assembly for political purposes.<br />
The above table is meant to be simply illustrative and not comprehensive.<br />
Other freedom actions would include, for example, association and movement.<br />
Another sphere could be scientific investigation. Moreover, not all<br />
cells in the matrix will be relevant. For example, “freedom to worship” may<br />
be a component <strong>of</strong> freedom, but may be relevant only to religious freedom.<br />
Coercion<br />
This section, following Hayek, will suggest that we are seeking to measure<br />
coercion (or restraints) as limits on freedom applied by human beings.<br />
This immediately raises the question: which set <strong>of</strong> human beings doing<br />
the blocking are <strong>of</strong> interest—those running the state, the religion, the setters<br />
<strong>of</strong> social conventions?<br />
Initially, any freedom index would have to be limited to restrictions<br />
applied by government. This is where the data and where most thinking<br />
on freedom has concentrated. Moving beyond government restriction<br />
initially would probably prove too ambitious a task.<br />
But the question remains: what human agencies can limit freedom?<br />
First, we can eliminate voluntary organizations. Virtually every religion<br />
limits some freedoms, but so long as the individual voluntarily gives these<br />
up on joining the religion, and can leave the religion at will, there is no<br />
restriction on freedom since such decisions themselves are freely made.<br />
What about society? Can it impose restrictions on freedom? Hayek<br />
(1960/1978) makes a number <strong>of</strong> important comments on this, with several<br />
brought together below.<br />
Paradoxical as it may appear, it is probably true that a successful free<br />
society will always in large measure be a tradition-bound society (p.<br />
61).… It is this flexibility <strong>of</strong> voluntary rule which in the field <strong>of</strong> morals<br />
makes gradual evolution and spontaneous growth possible. Such<br />
an evolution is possible only with rules which are neither coercive<br />
more deliberately imposed—rules which, though observing them is<br />
regarded as merit and though they will be observed by the majority,<br />
can be broken by individuals who feel that they have strong enough<br />
reasons to brave the censure <strong>of</strong> their fellows (p. 63).… Liberty is an<br />
opportunity for doing good, but it is only so when it is also an opportunity<br />
for doing wrong. The fact [is] that a free society will function<br />
successfully only if the individuals are in some measure guided by<br />
common values (p. 79).… On the whole, these conventions and<br />
Fraser Institute ©2012 • www.fraserinstitute.org • www.freetheworld.com
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