Notable Point · 25:26-28:24

Freedom from fear raised a problem of political choice

The critique asks how a promise of security could coexist with people's freedom to choose their leaders.

Notes

Freedom from fear is connected here to the aims of the League of Nations, the United Nations, and other multilateral efforts. The objection is that one agreement cannot determine how every other government or leader will behave. Preventing people from choosing a leader judged likely to become aggressive would itself restrict their political choice. The thought experiment sets the aspiration to security beside the freedom to select representatives. It leaves that tension unresolved.