We need an updated notion of freedom.
Traditionally, we are considered free to the degree that governments don’t interfere with our lives. Civil liberties are essentially promises that the government will not prevent us from various beings and doings, such as speech and assembly. Such political freedoms are drastically important — no one wants to live in North Korea — but they miss a crucial aspect: we shouldn’t only care about what we may do but also what we can do.
Because permissions without capabilities are meaningless.
Imagine a fully automated society.
In Robotopia, machines do everything, including food, water, housing, heating, and health care. The government is extremely liberal: they permit their citizens to be and do everything — except for violence, theft, and destruction of property.
Despite this, 99% of Robotopians work more than 80 hours per week to afford what they need. They need jobs to survive, but the pay is poor, and the working hours strict. For historical reasons, a small number of people own all the land, including the robots and the means of production. Consequently, there are few employers to choose from and no land the citizens can use to live off of — unless they want to starve, their only choice is to show up for work and do what they are told. At the same time, no one is forcing them — neither the government nor the employers prevent them from quitting their jobs.
Based on civil liberties, the Robotopians are as free as possible. In practice, they barely have a minute for themselves. Although no one is holding a whip, their entire lives belong to others: they are de facto slaves.
Consequently, civil liberties are important.
But they can’t be the whole story.
