Overview
1.After watching the following video, please answer this question:
If you could only have one, which one of political freedom or economic freedom would you rather have? Justify your answer.
2.REPLY TO MARTY
Wow, right off the bat, let me tell you this is a hard question to answer. I have gone back and forth in my thinking on which one would I choose if I could only have one. Our text as well as the supplemental videos we have watched present a strong case for economic freedom. Several examples have shown poor results when countries have political freedom but lack economic freedom and Hong Kong is given as the opposite observation. It is clear that economic freedom is important, but I would have to choose political freedom as my choice on the grounds of religious freedom principles and on the hope of change through the political process.
The first reason that I would choose political freedom over economic freedom is based on my faith. The freedom to excise my religious preferences that come with political freedom is more important to me than the opportunities for monetary gain provided by open economic opportunities. Having good business opportunities are a good thing, having freedom of religion is paramount. The second reason that I would choose political freedom over economic freedom is that political freedom gives you an avenue to institute change and work toward installing economic freedom. I know that this point violates the rules of our discussion that we can only have one, but you cannot truly have political freedom if political change in the economic arena is not possible. I know I am in the minority with my choice here so I look forward to hearing some of your responses.
Marty
3.REPLY TO SCOTT
I would say that political freedom would be my choice over economic freedom. I believe that with political freedom comes economic prosperity. It is important to me to be able to choose who I want in power, where I can go and when, and be able to worship freely and openly. We take for granted some things that are granted to us by political freedom. I don't think I could live with economic freedom when the government could tighten their reigns on me and my life. What good would economic freedom be if the government could at anytime control your life? I would sacrifice some wealth in order to have freedoms and liberties that many people in the world don't have. Answering the question if America is still number one would take some long deep thought. I think that many countries have tightened the gap with us as to being number one but I think that with the right people in charge, America can be a strong number one in the world.