NAVIGATING THE COMPLEXITIES OF INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AND THE SECURITY NEEDS OF THE STATE

Abstract

The ethical scope surrounding the relationship between individual liberty and the security need of the state is complex. Fundamental to this ethical discourse on individual liberty and state security need is the principle of human dignity. Liberty is fundamental to human dignity as it entails the essential rights of individuals to make choices about their lives, to express themselves freely and pursue their own happiness, in ways they deem necessary; the security need of the state is equally compelling as it stems from the primary obligation of the state to protect not just the territorial integrity of the state but also the well-being, safety and rights of its citizens. Thus, the challenge lies in harmonizing these two moral imperatives. While liberty is the foundation of personal agency and self-determination, security is indispensable for creating an enabling environment in which individuals can exercise their liberties without fear or unwarranted constriction. This paper therefore, argues that achieving this balance requires a careful consideration of the ethical principles that underpin both imperatives. Adopting a critical method, this paper concludes that this foundational moral imperative acknowledges the intrinsic worth of every individual and requires that security measures respect and protect the dignity of each person. It further argues that modern democracies strive to strike a dynamic equilibrium that adapts to these changing circumstances of technological advancements, and the ethical dilemmas that come with them. In the end, the trade-off remains an enduring and complex challenge in the realms of politics, ethics, and governance.