Each person has his own concept of a free society: freedom of thought, the right to choose, exemption from stereotypes ... A society free from the shackles of government and excessive tyranny on the part of the authorities is considered the most desirable in the modern world.
Utopia
Complete freedom of thought, the absence of barriers in challenging one's ideas, the low level of influence of various power structures on individuals - all this, according to many years of research, cannot be fully realized in a rational society. Most scientists consider a free society a utopia, and all because in a certain framework such a dream cannot be realized, since in any case the rights of other people will be infringed.
For example, during the consideration of someone’s proposal, some people will be unhappy and express their dissatisfaction directly to the author of the idea. Due to the groundlessness of such a protest, any important bill will not be able to enter into legal force, which is fraught with inhibition of the further development of society.
The term "free society": what do people mean by it?
For many, this concept is associated with emancipation in behavior, in choosing a sexual partner (bisexuality, homosexuality), as well as with anarchy and complete lawlessness. Rarely are individuals able to fully understand what a free society really is. The concept of such social groups is deciphered in this way: the rights of the state are limited, it has the ability to intervene in the life of an individual if it is necessary to maintain the normal functioning and development of society. That is, power structures representing power can control a person only if there is a possible threat from him for other people.
Signs of a free society
A free-thinking society, where the people and their needs are a key figure, cannot develop without certain factors. The freedom of each member of society consists not only in his right of choice, but also in the ability to act as he pleases, naturally, within the framework of established principles and morality.
Signs are considered:
- Freedom of business.
- A large number of political parties representing the interests of different sectors of the population.
- Democracy, chosen as the main option for government.
- Everyday life of citizens is regulated remotely, with the help of generally accepted democratic laws and moral standards.
Sociological models of society
Various models of a free society, like other social groups, are presented below:
- Functionalist. Society is a stable and relatively stable, integrated structure. It consists of society, whose activity is aimed at ensuring stability, while taking into account the values of the people.
- Sociocultural. It combines the doctrine of man from sociology and anthropology. The following aspects are important here: morality, social norms, the role of man in the environment, family, the relationship of people among themselves.
- Conflict. Society is constantly changing, its changes can be both individual and large-scale. Social conflicts are inevitable, since society is based on forcing some individuals to subjugate to others.
Examples
Despite the fact that the very concept of a free society is considered utopian, there are 2 types of political systems of government used in different states. Examples of a free society:
- Liberal state.
- Democratic state.
Civil society can also be called free. And from history, the USSR could be cited as an example. But there is one caveat. Since the establishment of the Country of Soviets, the word "freedom" has been featured in almost every slogan of various parties. However, over time, it became clear that the population of the state can hardly be called a free society. Of course, utopia was present in some aspects, but nevertheless, the authorities maintained total control over their citizens (KGB, intelligence, “watchful fellow citizens,” combatants).
Democratic state
Democracy is a fundamental way of governing a country as a whole and members of various social groups in particular. This is a rather complex, multifaceted concept. A society that is free from excessive attention on the part of justice, and also aimed at realizing the will, desires and interests of the people, is a democratic society. In modern politics, states that choose an exclusively democratic regime of government are rarely found.
Signs
A society free and democratic cannot exist without certain conditions. Its development is directly related to the presence of:
- The right to vote (and for each member of society).
- Equality, freedom of speech.
- State power, completely dependent on the opinion and will of the people.
- Parties, organizations that meet the preferences and interests of citizens.
Liberal state
In liberalism, the prerogative is the freedom of the individual of each individual citizen. Moreover, democracy, various moral principles and principles are the means to achieve freedom. In a liberal state, no attempt by the authorities to control the spiritual, economic activity of the population is unacceptable. However, there is one thing but in a political regime of this kind: a society that is free from pressure from law enforcement agencies and other instruments of power is not completely free. The state nevertheless controls individuals, as if to say: "You can change and do anything, but you can’t change power." The liberal regime is considered an unstable, transitional form of government.
Signs
The following features are characteristic of liberalism:
- Political instability.
- Continuous formation of various propaganda opposition parties.
- The separation of powers into judicial, executive, legislative, in order to protect citizens from possible arbitrariness by any structures.
- Implementation of programs that do not have power and popularity among the people.
- Call for free market relations, recognition of private property.
- Acceptance of the rights and freedoms of the people, development of information sources independent of the authorities.