BORN FREE

Right to be Free

The Cooling Off Day after a hectic period of political campaigning is a time to pause and reflect. The whole nation became a classroom when issues were vigorously debated in order to capture the hearts and minds of the electorate. Analysis in the new media which naturally embodies more freedom brings about the important and essential role of freedom of expression in the body politic. But the academic community where one would expect should play a more objective role is clouded by the political climate they had to work under.

It is heartening to read the articles especially in The Online Citizen and The Temasek Review and responsible bloggers on salient issues like honour and chivalry, power and responsibility. In the flush of freedom they have shared their candid insights without fear or favour.


In my reading today I chanced to read the Asian classic published back in 1999, “Development as Freedom” by Amartya Sen. It made pointed reference then to what is being reflected at this time.


Amartya Sen in the chapter “The Importance of Democracy” in his book reminded me of the significance between political freedom and economic needs.
They are often contrasted and one is called to trade-off freedom for the sake of wealth. So we hear the cries in the election rallies that life is more than just increasing GDP.

The author argues against the approach to “undermine the relevance of political freedom because the economic needs are so urgent.” He calls this the "Lee Thesis" after Lee Kuan Yew which claims that civil and political freedom hamper economic growth and development. On the contrary, the writer contends there is not only a relevance but an interconnection and that freedom is more urgent and basic and fundamental.

He further refutes the observation that authoritarian governments have a faster rate of economic growth. He believes that there are other factors that we have to take into consideration for growth. Development is not to be measured only in terms of dollars and cents. Hence the shouts for consideration of other factors than the drive for wealth accumulation.

The call is to understand the impact of political freedom in the lives of the citizens. The large crowd participating in the political rallies and coffee-shops indicate its importance when given the opportunity to exercise their right to express themselves. We have to acknowledge especially the new media for making this possible.

The positive value of freedom is in the formation of values and goals. The openness to discuss issues by the people has to be sustained. Those in authority and who serve are to listen to what people say and face their criticisms and ready to apologise always when they are wrong in order to merit their electoral support. It is only beginning to happen. It is heartening that at the beginning of the election campaign the attempts to smear were snuffed out, incivility in personal attacks were crushed and threats were muted. We are moving in the direction of the more gracious level of discourse. The tears shed are signs of care and compassion for the suffering of those who are being discriminated upon and show we have a heart.

Open discussion leads to the formation of values and priorities of economic needs themselves. No one assuming power can claim a personal right to rule and through self-authentication. Credible people have to earn their right to rule. Leaders rule upon the consent of the citizens. People need to be free to choose the kind of government they want and the economic needs they seek.

Essentially political freedom and civil rights are important on their own and need no justification. People must be given the freedom to lead their own lives and to have the opportunity to participate freely in deciding their political destiny.

May the values, priorities and goals that emerge through an election continue to be reviewed, evaluated and decided upon by the free citizens in a free nation.