Immigration and Freedom

by Chandran Kukathas

A person is free to the extent that she is able to pursue her ends unimpeded by others; she is freer the greater the range of opportunities she has to act and the greater the value attached to the opportunities she has; and her freedom is of value to her to the extent that she feels free. A person is also freer the more secure she is in the possession of her freedom—if she is not uncertain as to whether her freedom is about to be lost. To be free a person must feel free. A person who does not feel free at all attaches no value to the opportunities she has to act and is unfree. A society is free to the extent that those who live within it (members and non-members alike) are able to pursue their ends unimpeded by others; it is more free the greater the range of opportunities they have to act and the greater the value attached to the opportunities they have; and their freedom is of value to them to the extent that they feel free. The less secure they are in the possession of their freedom, and the more unsure they are of whether that freedom is about to be lost, the less free is their society. A society is unfree if those who live within it attach no value to the opportunities they have and do not feel free.