Where Is the Balance Between Order and Freedom?
Dmitri Kobozev
10/1/12
Mr. Shoemaker
Thesis Paper on Arthur Miller’s quote
What is the perfect balance between freedom and order? Not only is it a question American society has been asking itself since its creation but also a question humanity has yet to answer. In all likelihood such a perfect balance will never be achieved but doesn’t mean people won’t strive for such perfection. Before delving on deeper one must first ask, ‘what is order?’ Order is the limitation of freedom; limitation of freedom is necessary, to an extent, to uphold society. Human society has two extremes at each end of its spectrum, anarchy and tyranny. Two complete opposites, anarchy is pure freedom and tyranny is the ultimate repression of freedom. In the middle there is the perfect balance between order and freedom that humanity has been fighting for since its creation. Currently, as Arthur Miller said, ‘the balance has yet to be struck between order and freedom’. Miller’s statement, a direct reaction due to the second red scare, is undeniably true and is applicable to all times of American society, especially today’s. In regards to American society the line between order and freedom has been like a pendulum, swinging back and forth due to cause and effect. Lately, for the past decade, the line between order and freedom has been swinging towards the side of increased order; this is evident by the Patriot Act, recent internet censorship bills, and the people’s reaction to American society via the Occupy movement. While there is always going to be a back and forth, currently the line between order and freedom is moving towards one direction.
“It is still impossible for man to organize his life without repression” said Arthur Miller. The balance between order and freedom shifts based on cause and effect. In September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four planes midflight and used two planes to crash into the Twin Towers, killing almost 3,000 people. The third plane crashed into part of the
10/1/12
Mr. Shoemaker
Thesis Paper on Arthur Miller’s quote
What is the perfect balance between freedom and order? Not only is it a question American society has been asking itself since its creation but also a question humanity has yet to answer. In all likelihood such a perfect balance will never be achieved but doesn’t mean people won’t strive for such perfection. Before delving on deeper one must first ask, ‘what is order?’ Order is the limitation of freedom; limitation of freedom is necessary, to an extent, to uphold society. Human society has two extremes at each end of its spectrum, anarchy and tyranny. Two complete opposites, anarchy is pure freedom and tyranny is the ultimate repression of freedom. In the middle there is the perfect balance between order and freedom that humanity has been fighting for since its creation. Currently, as Arthur Miller said, ‘the balance has yet to be struck between order and freedom’. Miller’s statement, a direct reaction due to the second red scare, is undeniably true and is applicable to all times of American society, especially today’s. In regards to American society the line between order and freedom has been like a pendulum, swinging back and forth due to cause and effect. Lately, for the past decade, the line between order and freedom has been swinging towards the side of increased order; this is evident by the Patriot Act, recent internet censorship bills, and the people’s reaction to American society via the Occupy movement. While there is always going to be a back and forth, currently the line between order and freedom is moving towards one direction.
“It is still impossible for man to organize his life without repression” said Arthur Miller. The balance between order and freedom shifts based on cause and effect. In September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four planes midflight and used two planes to crash into the Twin Towers, killing almost 3,000 people. The third plane crashed into part of the
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