From: Jim Devine right. In addition, we have to be clear that we embrace a positive definition of freedom, i.e., the freedom to do what we want, rather than the negative one (freedom from external restraint, usually from government rules).
of course, this isn't true or absolute freedom, since what we want is determined by our genes and upbringing, by biology and society. ^^^^^^^ CB; Below is a formulation from my paper of what Jim correctly draws our attention to : positive freedom, necessary material enablement of freedoms With the institution of wage-labor , the right to a job is also fundamental because the exercise of all other basic human rights and freedoms is dependent upon, first, fulfillment of the basic needs for material survival - food, shelter, health care, etc. A job is key to obtaining these. Modern citizens cannot speak, think, vote or travel freely if they cannot eat. They cannot obtain equality before the law or due process without legal counsel at costs. A job at a living wage is a prerequisite for a decent life and for the exercise of all other human rights and liberties. Institutionalized, continuous denial of work to millions of people , permanent mass unemployment ( even 4 % is mass unemployment) is a violation of a most critical human right undermining all of the human rights of those millions unemployed. Every unemployed person in the US is a human rights violation. _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
