The Land of the Free: Is Freedom a Central Element of American Identity?

1. Freedom as a Foundational Concept in the United States

Freedom has been embedded in the United States’ identity since its creation. The Declaration of Independence (1776) affirmed that every person is born with basic rights, including liberty. The U.S. Constitution and its first ten amendments—known as the Bill of Rights—reinforce these values by protecting free speech, religion, and the press, among others.

The concept of liberty remains a defining part of how Americans see themselves and their country.

Symbols and Leaders That Embody American Freedom

2. National Emblems and U.S. Presidents

Several symbols and figures represent this idea of freedom. The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, stands at the entrance to New York Harbor, welcoming immigrants and symbolizing hope and liberty.

American presidents have also embraced and defended this ideal. Franklin D. Roosevelt, for instance, emphasized the “Four Freedoms” in a famous speech in 1941: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. These values later influenced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Social Inequalities and Challenges to Freedom

3. The Struggle for Equal Rights

Despite the national focus on liberty, not everyone in the U.S. has historically enjoyed the same freedoms. For a long time, African Americans were denied equal rights and opportunities. Segregation laws kept Black people apart from white citizens in many public places.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 marked a major step forward by banning discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This helped bring legal protection to all citizens, but disparities remain in areas like income, education, and policing.

Modern Reflections: Is Freedom Fully Realized Today?

4. Who Truly Enjoys Liberty in the U.S. Today?

Today, some question whether freedom is accessible to everyone. Historically, only white male landowners were considered full citizens. It wasn’t until 1920 that women gained the right to vote with the 19th Amendment. Even now, debates continue over who can fully enjoy civil liberties in practice.

Issues like voter suppression, economic inequality, and racial profiling suggest that freedom is still not equally experienced by all Americans.

Focus Section: Guns – A Liberty or a Risk?

The Second Amendment to the Constitution gives Americans the right to bear arms. Some people defend gun ownership as a form of personal freedom, while others argue it puts public safety at risk.

A 2020 survey showed differences in opinions based on gender, ethnicity, community type, and political affiliation. For example, women and people living in urban areas were more likely to see guns as a threat than men or rural residents.

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AN ARTICLE FROM THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN

SUMMARY USING WORDS FOR REFERRING TO AN ARTICLE

This article argues that political-science research shows the United States may be moving away from liberal democracy toward a form of authoritarian rule. It highlights growing concerns among scholars that democratic norms and institutions are weakening. 

It demonstrates this by pointing to indicators such as attacks on legal protections, executive overreach, firing of federal workers, and policies that undercut civil liberties and checks and balances. These patterns match stages seen historically in countries experiencing democratic erosion. 

It seeks to alert readers to the seriousness of these trends by connecting them to broader research on how regimes transition from democracy to autocracy. The author draws on studies of other nations’ democratic backsliding to show that the process can be gradual and cumulative. 

It points out that scholars have identified specific steps already occurring in the United States, including social turmoil, political movements that reject democratic norms, and election victories that consolidate power, all of which can contribute to democratic weakening. 

It relies on academic work by political scientists and reports comparing U.S. developments with patterns seen in other countries’ shifts toward authoritarian governance. The article draws on published research and expert opinion to make its case. 

It mentions the current presidency (in office at the time of writing) as a key context for these changes and links contemporary actions to broader debates about democratic survival. 

It quotes political scientists who describe the depth and breadth of threats to civil liberties, political contestation, and separation of powers, framing these as hallmarks of democratic erosion.

SECOND EXAMPLE

The article’s main claim is that the United States may be moving away from democracy toward an authoritarian system. The author explains that this idea is not just an opinion but is based on political science research.

To support this claim, the article uses studies by political scientists who have analysed how democracies weaken in other countries. These researchers have identified warning signs such as attacks on institutions, reduced civil liberties, and leaders concentrating power.

The article explains that several of these warning signs can already be seen in the U.S., including challenges to the rule of law, pressure on elections, and political movements that reject democratic norms.

The author’s purpose is to warn readers that democratic decline often happens slowly and legally, not through sudden coups. By showing similarities with past cases in other countries, the article suggests that the situation should be taken seriously.

The article concludes that understanding these patterns is important because democracies do not collapse overnight. Citizens need to recognise early signs in order to protect democratic institutions.

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Debate: “Is America Still Exceptional — or Are We Sliding Toward Fascism?”

👤 Elena – History professor, anti-authoritarian activist

“I study authoritarian regimes. I’ve seen the warning signs — and I see them now in the U.S. When a president threatens the press, disrespects the rule of law, and encourages violence, that’s not patriotism. That’s authoritarianism. We cannot keep telling ourselves ‘it can’t happen here.’ That’s what Germans said in the 1930s. America is not immune.”

🧢 Kyle – Proud MAGA voter, truck driver

“I’m not an expert, but I know what I feel. Under Trump, I could afford gas. I had work. He says what we think but can’t say. I don’t care about what some professor says about history — I care about today. If people want to leave, let ’em. We’re not becoming fascist, we’re just finally putting Americans first.”

On American Exceptionalism

Elena: “American exceptionalism has become a blinder. It keeps us from noticing when our institutions fail. People say, ‘We have checks and balances,’ like it’s a magic spell. But systems only work if people defend them.”

Kyle: “I believe in America. We’re different for a reason. We’ve helped the world more than any other country. Just because someone disagrees with how things are going doesn’t mean we’re collapsing.”

On the Role of Intellectuals and Students

Elena: “It’s our responsibility — teachers, students, artists — to speak out. When freedoms are threatened, silence is complicity. Some of us are leaving not to escape, but to keep fighting where it’s still safe.”

Kyle: “That sounds dramatic. Most Americans just want to get through the day. People like me don’t get heard unless someone like Trump gives us a voice. I’m tired of being told I’m part of the problem because I want my country to work for me.”

On Civil Liberties vs National Security

Elena: “Deporting people without trials, canceling visas over a student article — that’s not security. That’s fear. That’s power used to silence, not protect.”

Kyle: “Look, we need to feel safe. If someone’s breaking the law or hurting our country, they should be gone. It’s not about cruelty — it’s about order. You can’t run a country on feelings.”

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TRANSCRIPT 

It doesn’t start with them kidnapping you.

It does not start with exile.

They don’t stuff the ballot boxes.

It starts with the government making hints.

It starts with overcomplicated red tape.

With the law.

With retribution.

Fake narratives and financial attacks.

Democracy and the rule of law are more fragile than Americans think.

Russia was banning writers.

I thought, “I’m not writing books.”

Then it was banning teachers.

And I thought, “OK, I’m not a teacher.”

This is the big mistake.

Because, of course, it came to me.

The first alarm we should have noticed was in 2001, when NTV, the independent channel, was taken over.

“Staff arriving for work were told their offices and studios were off limits unless they signed an oath of loyalty to NTV’s new managers.”

I remember how frustrated and angry we were.

We even went to the protest rally.

But then it was cold, and we had so many other independent TV channels, so we just went home and forgot about it.

My uncle, who until recently was prime minister of Singapore, had a pattern of using police investigations and criminal prosecutions to dispose of or exile his opponents.

There have been malicious prosecutions against two leaders of different opposition parties.

The Sandinista dictatorship in Nicaragua sees nonprofits as a threat, including mine.

We are focused on pro-democracy work, and that was unacceptable to the dictatorship.

In Hungary, the elimination of gender studies was the first step toward restricting academic freedom.

When it would be too obvious to prosecute someone for being an enemy of the state, you have to make something else up.

They came after us with the excuse that we had not submitted our financial reports.

They didn’t give us an opportunity to appeal.

I posted a private Facebook comment to my friends only, and the Singapore government went after me with a criminal prosecution.

“Attorney General’s Chambers has asked the High Court to fine Li Shengwu at least $15,000 if…”

The steps were gradual, and every one of them was unbelievable to me.

Looking back, it had been obvious that the government had been going in this direction, little speeches here, half sentences there.

“We have to revitalize our churches, our families, our universities.”

We thought, no way, they cannot cross that line.

Until 2020, when the Hungarian government forced my university to leave the country.

Vladimir Putin always has legal steps first.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed two controversial security bills into law.”

And then he does what he wants.

“They would designate certain journalists and bloggers as foreign agents.”

He was testing society.

“Would it be OK if I shut down just one channel, then maybe one radio station, one newspaper, one magazine?”

Our nonprofit was one of the first to be canceled by the Ortega regime.

Now, it’s over 3,500 nonprofits.

My television channel was declared a foreign agent.

I was declared a foreign agent.

I am blacklisted as an academic in Hungary.

I could never get a job.

The regime said I was a financier of terrorism and that it would be best if I left the country immediately.

I fled as soon as I could.

“Russia blocked its last independent TV channel, TV Rain. Those staffers remaining in the studio gathered for a farewell.”

We left Russia.

“I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States.”

If you’re used to living in a democratic society, you don’t expect a government to just close a university.

“I will fire the radical-left accreditors that have allowed our colleges to become dominated by Marxist maniacs and lunatics.”

Right now, there are no independent media outlets in Russia.

No freedom of speech.

“ABC, they’re the most dishonest news organization.”

My uncle took his personal lawyer and made that lawyer attorney general.

“President-elect Trump’s new pick for attorney general? Pam Bondi. She was also on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial.”

“I call my attorney general.

I say, ‘Listen, indict him.’

‘Well, he hasn’t done anything wrong.’

‘I don’t know, indict him on income tax evasion. You’ll figure it out.’”

I wish I had paid more attention to those flashes of authoritarianism.

We ignored it because the economy was doing well.

I should have known.

I’m a sociologist.

I blame myself.

You want to believe it’s not happening, because otherwise you might have to act.

Take your finances out of the country.

Avoid having a physical office.

They will seize your assets.

It is better to fight.

Every person unlawfully jailed or harmed is your business.

It is better to refuse than to give in and hope someone else will be the check and balance.

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