„Freedom is the freedom to say that two and two is four.“ (1984 G. Orwell) – To what extent does the political system influence the private lives of human beings?

Barbara Marten - 28.09.2019 @ 11:11

These are our thoughts on the topic.

Gréta Vízkeleti - 14.11.2019 @ 21:29

The political system and the freedom of man

(by Greta Vizkeleti, Peter Payer, DNG Budapest/Hungary)

I think, if we, students read this title for the first time, I’m not sure if we can immediately say something. We study only at secondary school, so we oughtn’t make a comment on the themes: “Influence of politics” and “Real freedom”.

For example, there was a period in the middle of the 20th century in Hungary when politics had influenced the citizens’ everyday life and made it very hard. During that period Communism was ruling Hungary. The state had determined what people can do and say, and they were under strict control.

All people have different opinions about politics. Some of them understand it, others watch it as outsiders. There are always such people in the society, in the country, who have greater influence, greater power than their ordinary partners. That’s true, that we live in countries where we can vote for parties to govern our countries, but it is often just a show-election. It is difficult to decide, what is the lie in the speech of politicians and what isn’t. And one of their bad decisions can influence our present and future. And if people give voice to their opinion about their hard condition, their request will fall on deaf ears, because it is said that, they have no right to improve their situation. Then the questions come to mind: Is the freedom the real freedom, which we are hoping for? What is freedom?

„Freedom is the freedom to say that two and two is four. “(1984 G. Orwell)

There are many kinds of freedoms: physical, political, social, and financial. We naturally have a sense about the first couple ones. For example, if we see someone in a wheelchair, we automatically feel sorry for the person, because they are limited in their basic physical freedom, as they can’t even walk on their own like all the ‘normal’ people do. The real freedom is spiritual freedom, and that’s also the only one that we are truly in charge of. This freedom means the exact same for all people, according to the quote from G. Orwell.

Times are always changing; therefore, we should keep hoping and if anybody wanted us to stop, we should prove them that we can build a better society, a better world. On the other hand, people don’t have to search a lot nowadays to find a country, where the citizens are restricted by politics. For this reason, we are convinced that today’s youth is lucky, because we can do everything fast, whatever we want. There will always be places, where we could live a better life with better chances.  Despite the system, people can achieve all their goals during their lifetime.

Now I would like to ask you: To what extent does the political system influence the private lives of human beings in your countries? What are your opinions about the relationship between politics and private life? Are you satisfied or do you, possibly, somehow, want a greater freedom?

The question that immediately came to my mind while reading this article was, if we even have true spiritual freedom, and I think that depends on how you define spiritual freedom. If spiritual freedom is defined as the freedom to think whatever we please, then yes, there`s a good chance that that exists, despite any conspiracy theories about outward forces controlling the ongoing inside our minds.

However, if we define spiritual freedom as being truly free to think without anything outside our own minds influencing us, I`d have to say that we aren`t truly free. If we think about the psychological theory of behaviourism, no human mind is free. We base our thoughts off of what we see and experience in our environment. And who`s to say this environment isn`t influenced by another, greater force, be it with or without the intent to influence us?

Mirjam Kronthaler - 30.12.2019 @ 17:58

Thank you very much for your article Gréta and Peter!

I think you have delved into a very interesting but difficult subject. I definitely agree with your different definitions for "freedom" and think that you have described it in a very clear and understandable way.

In my experience, the political system in Austria does not and cannot change our daily lives very dramatically. Since there has been, in my point of view, a bit of political problems lately, one could definitely acknowledge a stress and debate on political matters but I don't think of it as an extend that has affected our daily lives. Nevertheless, I want to add that I actually had some concerning occurrences in the past years since the political parties have had a rather big shift. But I would consider those occurrences as being very rare and they have affected me in a very minimal way.

As the concept of "freedom" was an important part of your article, for me personally freedom also includes a sense of security. If you are not guaranteed to be safe or secure, in this case by a state security, you cannot be entirely free. That is why a very special book has come to my mind. A perfect example for this issue would be Morton Rhue's "Can't get there from here". This book describes the lives of homeless teenagers who "fell through" the state's security net and find themselves struggling for their lives day by day, trying to find chances of advancement. Unfortunately, in vain. Since those teenagers cannot meet basic human needs, I don't think that they are free.

Nazli Yüksek - 30.12.2019 @ 19:30

Hey guys,

I really enjoyed reading your interesting article about personal freedom. In the following, I would like to answer your question about the influence of politics on our daily life’s.

To start off, it has to be mentioned that I live in Buxtehude, Germany and that the political system here is democratic. Having the right to vote and express my own opinion, I consider myself a lucky and free person. For instance, terrible dictatorships and bad governance system are all time present in the news and depict a scary- even dystopian world. Having lived in a democracy all my life, I just cannot confide with the thought of being limited in my action, thoughts and opinions.

However, living in a free country now does not mean that I will have the lux of living in democracy forever. It sure can be said that we often forget the hardships our ancestors had to go through in order to achieve a system like this. As an effect, many people within a society take these actions and battles for granted and are of the opinion, that the democratic system will stay forever. Furthermore, exactly these people take no interest in voting or showing a slight interest in politics. By acting this way, it is for sure and certain that the democracy could be in danger, since extremist parties get a higher chance to gain power and overthrow the system.

Taking all this into consideration. it is very important that we keep in mind, that our democratic system was built on the efforts and hardships of our ancestors and that it can change with very small neglect ion.

Kind regards,

Catarina

Catarina Becker - 07.01.2020 @ 16:01

Thank you very much for your article Gréta and Peter!

Here's your answer about how our political system works. I live in Växjö, Sweden and the political system here is democratic. I think Sweden has a fair and good political system. They have made it so as many voices are heard as possible. Even small parties could have a great deal of influence.

Freedom isn't an easy question to be discussed but I think you have a point talking about different types of freedom. Of course there are people that struggling with the physical freedom. But things like that, we just have to accept. What we can do for them is making a society so they can get around and making sure their voice is heard. I believe that freedom is being able to say and do anything without harm others. That's actually a base law in Sweden. I think that everybody has different conditions but if you aren't able to speak up and act then your freedom is lost, in my opinion.

I'm curious about what you think of Viktor Orbán and his actions, starting to control the media and universities. Since you're from Hungary it should be interesting to see your view on this. 

Almir Latifi - 23.01.2020 @ 20:22