The concept of freedom that Americans often talk about has always confused my uneducated brain. I have been unable to comprehend the difference between the freedom Americans tout compared to the freedom that exists in most democracies. Is there an extra level of freedom that hasnt revealed itself to me (and which ironically only exists in a country where incarceration rates lead the world, ahead of such stalwarts of freedom as Cuba, Rwanda and Turkmenistan)? Is uber freedom even possible? Most importantly is all freedom a good thing? I think its fair to suggest the answer to that is likely to be ‘no’.

I think looking at what freedom is could be useful in helping to work out what is going on here and whether Americans sharing ‘freedom’ memes (while probably chanting USA with a fist in the air in their homes) actually have a point. Something you learn in criminology studies is that in a society, individuals give up a certain amount of liberty to belong to (and therefore be protected by) a community. This means that while you may not live with strict limitations about how you exist, it is generally agreed that firebombing your neighbours home (honestly, they’ve been very noisy lately) would be frowned upon. Although you could physically do it, the hope is that the consequential loss of your personal freedom when you go jail is enough to put you off. Freedom is sold to the masses as a good thing and used as a carrot AND a stick. Sure, you can live freely, but if you live too freely or impede someone else’s freedom then you will lose your freedom and if you behave well while you are not free, you can eventually return to freedom unless you again live too freely, and it all forms a nice little freedom merry-go-round.

That’s pretty much the case in all democracies, although the types of freedom and accepted free behaviours change pretty drastically, globally speaking. For example, in Australian waters you would not be free to catch and kill whales. In some other countries, you are not only free to do so, you are encouraged to do so. People from other countries even kill them in Australian waters, because no one has got the hang of removing freedoms of foreigners that were given by foreign authorities without creating a bit of an international kerfuffle of diplomacy and no-one likes international diplomatic kerfuffles. Then of course are the perceptions of freedom, which also vary drastically. Several sociological and criminological studies show us that informal surveillance and social capital influence how we behave and despite being free to do so, we might avoid doing something that could ‘look bad’. It’s anyone’s guess how free any democratic society really is when you think about it hard enough.

So then, what makes America ‘more free’? Its the same thing that sees Trump in power, racism flourish and the wealth divide grow exponentially; ignorance. In fairness, ignorance is a good thing for governments (who are increasingly beholden to corporate players) to foster in its constituents. Afterall, if you cant perceive a fence, are you really penned in? Now, I say this being well aware my own nation voted in a prime minister who is a born again christian and chauvinist. The cretin has no business making decisions regarding the fate of dog turds that find their way to his lawn, let alone a nation of people. Ignorance is definitely thriving here too. This make’s America’s role as a global leader even more crucial.

Now let’s get down to what freedom in America really means. American Freedom seems so closely tied to the least ethical versions of capitalism (see the joke I made there? ethical capitalism! ha!) that they fell in love and had a baby called ‘Murica. ‘Murica is where money is king and social policies are considered communist threats. ‘Murica is where law enforcement oversight positions are often filled by popular vote and back door deals rather than any kind of merit (because that would just be sensible and no one could make money or gain a perk/contract). It’s the place where jurisprudence went on spring break, got drunk, drove, mowed down several legislative statutes and now sits behind bars after being convicted of serial killing by evidence from a forensic pathology specialist in theoretical felonies. It is a place where even the destitute have been brainwashed to despise socialised healthcare models around the world, instead preferring to view healthcare as a kind of indicator of success.

Freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom to bear arms (dude, I know this right was given in a revolutionary era, but really, if you arent taking up arms again your current administration, its a hint that you never will again, so maybe its time to rethink that one), these rights only work in conjunction with respective responsibilities. The lack of regulation in America has caused some serious issues for the world from illegal military action to corporate negligence. It’s the freedom from regulation, and ultimate responsibility that seem to make America a special kind of free. The idea that this greater freedom that exists in America is anything but a steady drive to a dystopian future is laughable. That a large portion of Americans think this is what makes the nation great is soul destroying even for someone half a world away.

In light of my very uninformed (some might say, ignorant) opinions, it was with wry mirth that I read some ten thousand Americans are planning to sue the chinese government for the current pandemic. Obviously, I do not find the deaths of thousands of people across the globe to be amusing, I hope that goes without saying (but I said it just in case). It is the idea that a nation whose wealth is built around skirting legal and ethical obligations and due and proper processes should feel it appropriate to sue another for doing the same thing. If it is some no-win-no-pay firm, then they are indeed brave, I mean, which court would this even go through? How would enforcement happen (because I can bet you the whole six trillion dollars that the Chinese government may consider hiding their money in the couch cushions of every temple and palace they havent bulldozed to build more factories to produce and/or export items for American companies)? Even more absurd is the purported cause of the outbreak; a lack of regulation of exotic food markets in China – so, China demonstrating its own uber freedoms.

Maybe freedom really isnt all its cracked up to be. Maybe Neo took the wrong pill. Of course, having borderline personality disorder means, my own view on this might be unpopular. Afterall, my sense of self is made of whatever everyone else thinks it should be and I am happiest when given a set of parameters to work with. My naivete means that I expect healthcare providers to do both healing and caring, not healing and profiteering. I cant wrap my head around a pharmaceutical company that would fudge trial results in favour of a payday. I am discombobulated by a government who doesnt reflect the values of its population. But in the case of a nation with freedoms to carry out protests while openly carrying weapons, freedoms that allow hate speech and bigotry to have a place at the table and freedoms that ignore the vulnerable and protect the privileged, all while insisting on their right to stage an armed revolt against the government, I am more worried that it does.