LÉGION'ARTS
Freedom and Justice: Ideals Tested by Realities
In continental European democracies, justice faces two major and contradictory demands:
1. A demand to participate in the life of society, in its regulation by law and justice.
2. The need to ensure access to justice for all, individually and on a case-by-case basis.
Antoine speaks to us of freedom, but this freedom is linked to “justice,” and here again, at the European level, it is not exactly the same as that of the countries that comprise it.
It is surely a feat that our friend accomplishes, that of putting into a few words a vast array of questions concerning freedom, which cannot be conceived without courage. But courage is no longer on the agenda, and all those who predict an imminent revolution would have been well advised not to let the country “progress” toward the sad situation into which it is currently sinking.
Christian Morisot
Freedom
By Antoine Marquet
The tree bears the fruit… Many years after the start of the “Arab Spring,” we are seeing the results.
From the Maghreb and the Mashreq to the distant Islamic borders of China, a broad and tumultuous movement wanted the same thing that anti-Soviet rebels demanded a quarter of a century ago.
The very clear object of desire was freedom. But freedom, in its ambiguity and enormity, is protean, often dons the trappings of circumstance, and leads to diverse consequences.
Misused, it leads to death, to the frenzy of all or nothing. It can lead to dangerous elections, wealth, poverty, and 100% religions… Well managed, it perpetuates life, love, civic duty, informed debate, and thoughtful choice. Respect for others.
Of course, the countries affected by these seasonal revolts continue to experience their revolutionary process; in other words, this process has not yet run its course, is not yet complete. Just as nightmares and dreams are never truly over.
In some cases, it is an orgy of blood and chaos. In others, it is the attempt to impose God's word on everyone, by human hands, without consulting Him.
And there are those who courageously try other paths.
And we, in our country, will we have the courage to defend our freedom?
The tree bears the fruit… Many years after the start of the “Arab Spring,” we are seeing the results.
From the Maghreb and the Mashreq to the distant Islamic borders of China, a broad and tumultuous movement wanted the same thing that anti-Soviet rebels demanded a quarter of a century ago.
The very clear object of desire was freedom. But freedom, in its ambiguity and enormity, is protean, often dons the trappings of circumstance, and leads to diverse consequences.
Misused, it leads to death, to the frenzy of all or nothing. It can lead to dangerous elections, wealth, poverty, and 100% religions… Well managed, it perpetuates life, love, civic duty, informed debate, and thoughtful choice. Respect for others.
Of course, the countries affected by these seasonal revolts continue to experience their revolutionary process; in other words, this process has not yet run its course, is not yet complete. Just as nightmares and dreams are never truly over.
In some cases, it is an orgy of blood and chaos. In others, it is the attempt to impose God's word on everyone, by human hands, without consulting Him.
And there are those who courageously try other paths.
And we, in our country, will we have the courage to defend our freedom?