Economics Homework Help

As we saw in class, economic freedom raises many issues. One is that there are many definitions of freedom. I am following Nobel winning economist Amartya Sen who defines freedom broadly as capabilities, including having access to sufficient means of survival and means to live a meaningful life. Another influential current of opinion (neoliberalism) defines economic freedom narrowly as the ability to dispose of one’s private property without interference. Your first assignment is to explain these two definitions as clearly as you can to someone you know and report on the discussion you had about which definition they (and you) generally refer to when they speak about freedom. Which definition seems most often to be used by politicians and pundits in the news? For example, referring to the first definition, Canadians could be said to be freer than Americans because everyone has access to health care without regards to income or ability to pay while this is not so in the U.S. But referring to the second definition, Canadians could be said to be less free because wealthier Canadians must pay taxes that go toward providing medical care to those who are poorer. Considering only this issue, which country do you and your interlocutor think is freer? Were you able to make a persuasive argument?

Another issue is that some freedoms are incompatible, e.g., the freedom to breathe clean air versus the freedom to smoke. In this case, someone’s freedom interferes with someone else’s freedom. Gun ownership is another example of incompatible freedoms between the freedom to stockpile and carry guns and the freedom not to be threatened by gunmen. Canada also has more restrictive gun laws than the U.S. Does this make Canada a less free country than the U.S., or does this mean that democracy in Canada allowed citizens to choose a different balance between these incompatible freedoms? Also discuss this with your interlocutor and post the substance of your discussion plus any additional comments or questions in the Discussions.

This is meant to be a critical thinking exercise. What I am asking you to do is to make a thoughtful reflection about these issues, NOT repeat talking points you have heard on social media. If your interlocutor does repeat misleading talking points, were you able to dispel their confusion?

Canadians could be said to be less free because wealthier Canadians must pay taxes that go toward providing medical care to those who are poorer. Considering only this issue, which country do you and your interlocutor think is freer? Were you able to make a persuasive argument?