Models Of Freedom Research Articles

Score-driven latent-factor panel data models of economic freedom: an empirical application to the United States

ABSTRACT In this paper, we study the link between economic freedom and gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 12 industries making up the United States (US) economy for 50 US states from 2005 to 2020. To measure the industry-specific impact of economic freedom in the US, we use a novel panel data model, named the score-driven latent-factor panel data model of economic freedom, which includes US state- and industry-specific score-driven components, US state- and industry-specific unobserved effects, and federal-level latent factor. We show that the statistical performance of the novel panel data model is superior to those of classical static and dynamic panel data models. With the exception of the ‘Agriculture’ and ‘Utilities’ industries, we find a positive relationship between economic freedom and growth in 10 of the 12 US industries considered for the score-driven latent-factor panel data model.

East versus West in Europe: Enchantment and Disenchantment

ABSTRACT This article addresses the issue of the fragility of Western liberal democracies, the divisions in Western society as a whole and within particular countries, and the loss of faith in the Western model of civilization. My focus will be (1) on the initial enchantment of the Eastern European countries (with special emphasis on Romania) with the West European models of freedom, democracy, lifestyle, and living standards, which explains why these countries overwhelmingly voted in favor of joining the European Union after the fall of Communism; and (2) on their subsequent disenchantment with how far liberal democracies could go, and their general discontent with the restrictions and preconditions imposed on them for obtaining EU funding for their economic development. In dealing with the issue of globalism, nationalism and identity, I will elaborate on the role of identity, personal and national, in the creation of roots, stability, self-esteem, hard work and progress, with reference to the manifestations of populism in Europe. Finally, I will consider the positive effects Eastern countries with their traditionalism and religious values could have on their Western counterparts, in order to revive and sustain their initial enchantment and diminish their disenchantment with Europe, the European Union, and Western civilization.

THE NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE MODELS OF FREEDOM: THE PROBLEM STATEMENT

The article presents two alternative concepts that have been traced over the centuries: positive freedom is characterised by the desire of the subject to be his own master, bearing responsibility for his actions, and negative freedom is characterised by the desire to eliminate all obstacles on the way to it. The concept of synthesis of both models of freedom is presented by I. Berlin. The problem of the correlation between freedom and justice is becoming urgent.

Two Models of Political Secularism and Religious Freedom in Italy and Croatia: Findings from a Survey among Youth

Interest in political secularism is growing, due to its proven relevant role in affecting people’s political behaviours and attitudes toward human rights. However, until now, only a few studies have analysed its influence on religious freedom and those which exist do so mostly from a governmental-policy perspective. Drawing upon the sociology of religious freedom, this article seeks to address this gap. Comparing two Catholic EU countries, Italy and Croatia, and adopting an empirical perspective, it aims to understand whether the endorsement of political secularism enhances or limits support for religious freedom. More specifically, the study draws a key distinction between two models of secularism, ‘institutional’ and ‘ideological’, whose impacts on different aspects of religious freedom are assessed. In doing so, this research presents the results of a cross-national survey on Social Perception of Religious Freedom (SPRF) that was carried out among university students in Italy (=714) and Croatia (=603). The results show the strong positive influence of moderate forms of political secularism in shaping a positive culture of religious freedom. At the same time, they validate the hypothesis that it is necessary to consider political secularism’s multiple facets to fully understand its influence on support for religious freedom in different countries.

Some economic and ethical aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic

In my study, I focus on selected ethical aspect of the covid-19 pandemic. Mankind has experienced considerable a number of pandemics of various types in its history. In recent centuries, it has been cholera, spanish influenza, SARS. Over the last two years, she discovered a new, hitherto unknown disease. Covid-19 disease has occurred. Its origin is not complete known. Some claim, that the disease occurred in humans after first occurred in animals. Others believe it is a virus of artificial origin. He was detected for the first time in 2019 in China. Originally however, the Chinese epidemiological problem spread to almost the end of winter 2020 around the world and has grown to the scale of a global pandemic. Maybe at least the pandemic affected island isolated states, or some states with an authoritarian regime, that closed the borders. By the end of January 2022 at this pandemic has killed more than 5 and a half million people on the planet. Given the situation, which has not been in the world for many decades, has meant more than just multiple tragedy and a significant economic downturn, but also the need ethically and economically reflect the many common practices considered to date days for invariant. We look at the problem through the prism of social philosophy. There are basically three approaches: a) negative (liberal) perception of freedom, b) positive perception of freedom (Spinoza, Hegel, etc.), c) freedom as a game. We believe that many circumstances need to be taken into account in order to meet the necessary conditions for the introduction of relatively strict countermeasures. We look at the problem through the prism of social philosophy. There are basically three approaches: a) negative (liberal) perception of freedom, b) positive perception of freedom (Spinoza, Hegel, etc.), c) freedom as a game. Each of these models of freedom has its own vision of the application of the dialectic of freedom and responsibility. The combination of freedom and responsibility is key in our situation. We believe that many circumstances need to be taken into account in order to meet the necessary conditions for the introduction of relatively strict countermeasures.

Pandangan Axel Honneth tentang Keadilan sebagai Institusionalisasi Kebebasan dalam Relasi Pengakuan

This article explores Axel Honneth’s normative reconstruction of social liberty as discussed in his book, Freedom’s Right. Honneth’s argument is complex. On one side, he believes that justice can ultimately only be judged in terms of the ideals actually institutionalised in that society. On the other side, he insists that contemporary theories of justice that are guided almost exclusively by the legal paradigm is a theoretical folly. In the first part, this article presents Honneth’s critical reading of the differences between negative and reflexive models of freedom. Then it discusses the ideas of democracy as reflexive cooperation of the ‘we’ in relation to the concept of social freedom. It then reviews Honneth’s argument on justice as institutionalised freedom. The author compares Honneth’s account of solidarity with Enrique Dussel’s views in the fourth part of this article. The conclusion shows that social freedom cannot be realised without a pedagogical process in this exclusion age, and that this process might enlarge the individuals’ horizon of solidarity as future citizens.

Freedom of association (associations) as the dominant organizational and legal forms of legal entities

The article is devoted to the study of freedom of Association as a variety of political freedoms and the infl uence of the constitutional and legal method of securing freedom of Association (associations) on the organizational and legal forms of legal entities. The author consistently analyzes the French, German and British models of freedom of Association and gives examples of the infl uence of these models on other countries. Freedom of Association has a constitutional and legal form of consolidation in the Russian Federation, which receives the necessary specifi cation in civil legislation by constructing such organizational and legal forms as Association and Union. The author comes to the conclusion that in Russian law, an Association is a constitutional legal institution, while an Association and a Union are civil law institutions. In accordance with paragraph 18 of article 22 of the Federal law “on advocacy in the Russian Federation” and article 23 of the law on relations arising in connection with the establishment, operation and liquidation of the bar Association and law offi ces. The article focuses on the essence of a legal entity and a Corporation. The author believes that the legal structure (concept) of the Corporation originates from the activities of legists and canonists. The corporatist concept of legists covered any legal entities that did not coincide with a natural (natural) person. According to the author, the real turning point in the study of the nature of a legal entity occurred in connection with the activities of F. Savigny and his followers: B. Windscheid and G. Pukhta. The legal entity was also studied by R. Iering, I. Blunchli, O. Gierke and outstanding Russian scientists G. F. Shershenevich, N. M. Korkunov and others. Freedom of Association (associations), French, German, British model of freedom of Association (associations), Constitution, Corporation, ideal goal, business companies, non-profit partnership, bar Association, law office.

Beacons of Liberty: International Free Soil and the Fight for Racial Justice in Antebellum America

"One of the most original contributions to the history of the American antislavery movement, and antislavery thought more broadly,” Beacons of Liberty shows that different free-soil havens, such as Sierra Leone, Upper Canada, Haiti, and Mexico each offered distinct possibilities for freedom in Black Americans’ collective consciousness while providing “practical models of Black freedom” as well as destinations for emigrants.

Além do direito da liberdade: uma análise republicana da teoria democrática crítica de A. Honneth

No início da década de 2010, A. Honneth delineou uma concepção democrática crítica específica baseada em um modelo social de liberdade individual, que ele considera superior aos modelos negativos e reflexivos. Honneth considera que a democracia deliberativa depende normativamente e empiricamente do modelo social de liberdade individual, de modo que, se certas condições sociais não são cumpridas, os cidadãos carecem das condições que lhes permitiriam a participação na construção da vontade democrática. Neste trabalho, procederemos à reconstrução dos principais postulados normativos da concepção democrática crítica de Honneth, que define positivamente a justiça como reconhecimento mútuo, contrastando-os especularmente com os da concepção republicana defendida pelo filósofo P. Pettit, que se baseia em um modelo negativo de liberdade política entendida como não-dominação. Em resumo, explicaremos quatro atrações comparativas que a teoria de P. Pettit oferece em relação a Honneth em matéria da metodologia, conceito da justiça, classificação de modelos da liberdade, e prioridade da justiça.

Effects of neoliberal rationality on Brazilian Public Health System recent policies and discourses

Abstract Background We analyzed the increasing penetration of neoliberal rationality in recent changes of Brazilian Public Health. We seek to observe if these different discourses and organizational changes represent a lack of accountability for public power and put in risk universal access through a paradoxical defense of equity principle. Methods We performed a discourse analysis of 8 technical documents published by the Ministry of Health from 2016 to 2019 as well as different 5 interviews made with and 6 articles signed by its minister and secretaries. This period comprehends an interim government formed after a controversial impeachment process and the new Ministry staff named after Bolsonaro's election. Results We studied different perspectives of neoliberalism that have been seeking for the last years to untangle the concept of neoliberalism. Inspired by Foucault's thoughts, neoliberalism is understood here beyond as a complex transformation of government paradigms that produces very narrow models of individual freedom and subjectivity and that considers private entrepreneurship as naturally superior to state actions commonly described as inefficient and costly. Often justified by a literature characterized as scientific, we understand that recent Brazilian Public Health formulations have been emphasizing equity to the detriment of universality and overestimating public-private partnerships and private management logic as positive solution for public policies and a prioritization of healthy lifestyle and risk management based on individual and moral autonomy over the role of the State of intervention on health social determinants. Conclusions Recent public speeches and technical documents of Public Health in Brazil at the federal level have been influenced by a neoliberal rationality. These changes require more accurate methods to unravel neoliberalism meanings and practices and preserve hard-won social rights during the re-democratization of Brazil. Key messages Neoliberal rationality of recent Brazilian Public Health discourses represents a lack of accountability for public power and a risk to health universal access. These changes require more accurate methods to unravel neoliberalism meanings and practices and preserve hard-won social rights of our public health system during the re-democratization of Brazil.

Evaluation of Predictive Models of Postoperative Seizure Freedom in Patients With Medically Refractory Epilepsy

Abstract INTRODUCTION Approximately one-third of epilepsy patients are medically refractory and could benefit from surgery. Currently, it is difficult to predict precisely the postoperative likelihood of seizure freedom. Here, we sought to develop a regression-based clinical score to predict the likelihood of postoperative seizure freedom separately for pediatric and adult patients. METHODS All patients undergoing surgery at the adult (July 2004-January 2017) and pediatric institutions (July 2003-July 2014) were reviewed. Demographics, seizure-specific history, EEG, imaging, and pathology data were collected. The primary outcome was 5-yr seizure freedom (Engel). Random selection of 70% of the cohort was used for development while the remaining 30% was used for validation. The proportion for the odds ratio obtained from the regression model was used to construct whole number coefficients for each significant variable. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate model utility. RESULTS A total of 194 adult and 316 pediatric subjects (Total N = 510) were included. For the pooled cohort, the score range was 0 to 18 (absence of GTC = 4, monthly seizures = 20 = 4, MRI abnormality = 5, Temporal lobe epilepsy = 3, not needing iEEG = 2). For adults, the score range was 0 to 9 (constant = 2, absence of GTC = 3, no epilepsy family history = −2, MRI abnormality = 2, not needing iEEG = 2). For pediatric patients, the score range was 0 to 8 (absence of GTC = 3, monthly seizures = 20 = 3, not needing iEEG = 2). The AUC of the predicted 5-yr seizure-freedom for each score compared to the actual rate was >0.79 in all cases. CONCLUSION Clinical prediction tools, developed separately for pediatric and adult patients, can be used for patient selection and counseling. Further multicenter studies are needed to validate this score while comparing its performance to other available scores and nomograms.

Models of freedom: Bangladeshi women are now vital to the economy but they are still restricted in their dress

Models of freedom: Bangladeshi women are now vital to the economy but they are still restricted in their dress

Из истории теоретической социологии: две модели свободы

Из истории теоретической социологии: две модели свободы

A Partial Defense of the Actual-Sequence Model of Freedom

Over the years, two models of freedom have emerged as competitors: the alternative-possibilities model (the “classical” approach to freedom, which understands freedom in terms of having access to alternative possibilities of action) and the actual-sequence model (the approach inspired by Harry G. Frankfurt’s rejection of the principle of alternative possibilities and the insights provided by the “Frankfurt-style” examples). This paper is a partial defense of the actual-sequence model. My defense relies on two strategies. The first strategy consists in de-emphasizing the role of examples in arguing for (or against) a model of freedom. Imagine that, as some people think, Frankfurt-style cases fail to undermine the alternative-possibilities model. What follows from this? Not much, I argue. In particular, I note that the counterparts of Frankfurt-style cases also fail to undermine the actual-sequence model (in fact, they do that in a more glaring and indisputable way). My second strategy of defense consists in revitalizing the original motivation for the actual-sequence model, by revamping it, isolating it from claims that do not fully capture the same idea, and arguing that it can be developed in a successful way.

Interview with Professor Zbigniew Stawrowski on The Clash of Civilizations or Civil War

Abstract Western society is facing a clash of civilizations, but the fault line lies not between the West and Islam but within Western society itself, as two competing models of freedom and the principles underlying the modern state, each employing terms like “rights” and “justice” but holding totally opposite meanings, vie to prevail. The contemporary Polish philosopher Witold Stawrowski’s new book, The Clash of Civilizations or Civil War, considers this fracture at the heart of modern Western thought and offers provocative ways of reconceptualizing current debates that re-enshrine religious freedom as the first human right. In the process, he draws on the Polish tradition of religious freedom as a way of overcoming the practical approach of religious segregation that flowed from the Peace of Augsburg’s cujus regio, ejus religio (whose roots are essentially traceable to Antiquity). He discussed his book and some implications of its thought, especially in an American context, with Dr. John M. Grondelski.

On the Intellectual History of Freedom of Contract and Regulation

Are we, private lawyers and contract lawyers, not convinced that we share a common understanding of freedom of contract, of‚ freedom’, of‚ contract’, and of the restriction of freedom of contract through ‘regulation’? Is this common understanding not the basis on which we all operate – implicitly or explicitly – in our intellectual discourse while cutting across different legal traditions and different legal cultures? I argue that this common understanding is no more than a rather superficial ‘gentleman’s agreement’ which allows us to communicate with each other whilst maintaining our own preconceptions. In fact, there are different models of freedom of contract and regulation in Germany, France, the UK and the European legal order, each deeply ingrained in their respective intellectual history.

The experience of freedom in decisions - Questioning philosophical beliefs in favor of psychological determinants.

Six experiments tested two competing models of subjective freedom during decision-making. The process model is mainly based on philosophical conceptions of free will and assumes that features of the process of choosing affect subjective feelings of freedom. In contrast, the outcome model predicts that subjective freedom is due to positive outcomes that can be expected or are achieved by a decision. Results heavily favored the outcome model over the process model. For example, participants felt freer when choosing between two equally good than two equally bad options. Process features including number of options, complexity of decision, uncertainty, having the option to defer the decision, conflict among reasons, and investing high effort in choosing generally had no or even negative effects on subjective freedom. In contrast, participants reported high freedom with good outcomes and low freedom with bad outcomes, and ease of deciding increased subjective freedom, consistent with the outcome model.

Student-Centered Transformative Learning in Leadership Education

Innovative and learner-centered approaches to teaching and learning are vital for the applied field of leadership education, yet little research exists on such pedagogical approaches within the field. Using a phenomenological approach in analyzing 26 students’ reflective narratives, the authors explore students’ experiences of and process of learning within a student-centered and inquiry-focused leadership capstone course. The process of this transformative learning experience is represented in five themes, which include the following: (1) challenging mental models of learning, (2) building trust, (3) finding freedom and empowerment, (4) deepening commitment to learning, and (5) reframing learning and self. Additionally, the students’ approach to learning changed throughout the course, shifting from dependence/independence toward interdependence. Implications for the use of this pedagogy and areas for future research are discussed.

Mental freedom: Who has control-the rider or the horse?

This paper has been reproduced and modified from a PhD dissertation (Deakin University, 2013) written by the author titled ‘Freedom and Conditionality: Analysing Mental and Yogic Models of Freedom’. It is a cross-cultural, crossdisciplined work based on an exploration into Eastern and Western concepts of mental freedom. The thesis methodology included a critical analysis and examination of various theories relating to emotional life. To achieve this aim textual exploration and empirical research was carried out. The empirical data collected included questionnaires and interviews pertaining to life-experiences in terms of emotional well-being, which is discussed in context as “mental freedom”). This paper is taken from the results of the research, in particular Chapter Five of the thesis, which will be published early next year by Cambridge Scholars Publishing under the title ‘Freedom Beyond Conditioning: East West’. The paper discusses key elements related to emotional well-being in particular Sigmund Freud’s philosophical approach to certain aspects of his theories, including the life and death instinct and the organisation of the personality. The paper also introduces key Eastern theories in respect to Yogic traditions, which it relates to Freud’s id, ego and superego and theory of dynamic (psychical) energy. The paper concludes that certain elements of Freud’s theories and Eastern philosophy share important parallels that relate to the individual’s ability or inability to achieve mental freedom.

The political and ideological dimension of the measurement of freedom of information. Assessing the interplay between neoliberalism and the Freedom of the Press Index

The article aims to analyse the role of measurement in legitimising a specific conception of freedom of information. From a neo-Gramscian perspective, the work draws attention to the way a political and ideological paradigm influences measuring instruments, as well as the contribution of such tools in strengthening the hegemony of that paradigm. By illustrating the rise of neoliberalism as a case in point, the study hypothesises a neoliberal influence on the measurement of freedom of information. To test such assumption, the work describes three ideal typical models of freedom of information – the liberal, egalitarian and neoliberal models – and their connection with specific conceptions of democracy. Then, the article focuses on the Freedom of the Press Index by Freedom House, that is the most used and recognised instrument for measuring freedom of information. Though the Freedom House contends to measure a liberal conception of freedom of information, the analysis of the indicators of the Freedom of the Press Index shows that they mirror the neoliberal model at least with respect to the role of State and Market on media systems, and the conception of media pluralism. The results bring into question the uncritical acceptance of the Freedom of the Press Index as the universal yardstick of freedom of information.