The Ambiguity of Freedom in Politics : A Study of Danish Party Members' Perception of Freedom in Politics

Abstract: The concept freedom is frequently used in political discussions without awareness of the multiple meanings it potentially contains. In order to act on today’s climate challenge, freedom has come to play an essential role as something we either have to sacrifice or insist on protecting. However, freedom is an abstract concept and may involve different perceptions among people - also in politics. Using qualitative interviews, this study finds multiple notionsof freedom among Danish party members across the political parties. The party members are identified to subscribe to two main perceptions: individual freedom and collective freedom. The analysis shows that freedom is not purely divisible by Isiah Berlin’s categories where thestate either interferes or refrains from interference, but rather that state interference can align with each of the two main perceptions. Whilst some of the party members subscribe solely to individual freedom, the majority are found to switch depending on if the political issue involves economic freedom or not. By comparing the party members’ varying positions on the political issues; climate, freedom of religion, and tax and social benefits, with the standpoint of their parties, it points towards a correlation between the notion of freedom and the political position.The findings indicate that we do not need a new perception of freedom to achieve the green transition. Instead, we must utilise the existence of different perceptions of freedom and devise a solution where individual freedom can align with the green transition.