Idndividual vs State - 1320 Words

Freedoms of choice and self-determination have become key features of life that are largely viewed in Western Europe as natural rights. However, in light of the present global recession, it can be contemplated if greater state control in present liberal democracies is necessary to ensure the survival of the state. Whilst some may believe that the individual should remain the main priority, a liberal society increases inequality and widens the class gap which continues to suppress the poor. If the focus is primarily on the individual then, overall, society may suffer more than if it were state-driven. The individual versus the state has been long disputed within many fields in academia. From psychology to sociology and literature to†¦show more content†¦Nonetheless, based on the findings written by Hobbes, the individual should not be given total freedom to do as he pleases. Acting within self-interest allows for the formulation of greed and exploitation of peerage in the journey to attain more wealth. Neither can total control be beneficial to society. Although this may guarantee total equality, it goes against the natural state of man which may lead to the general population being unsatisfied. One needs only to look at the recent anti-government uprisings in Libya whose leader has ruled for forty-nine years under an authoritarian state administration. As such a balance needs to be found which allows the people some form of freedom whilst providing for state intervention to protect and aid the needy and vulnerable within the society. Also liberalism allows for total competition, regulated by Adam Smith’s principle of demand and supply. If you have a commodity that is in demand, under a liberal capitalist theory you should become wealthier as demand increases. Furthermore, if the commodity is in short supply, scarcity increases its market value (Lipsey, Chrystal, 2007). For example, due to the Libyan revolts the market value price of oil had once again risen to almost US$188 per barrel, since less oil is present on the market (BBC, 2011). The individuals