# Fantasy liberal countries

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-liberal-countries/710841>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 25, 2015, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-liberal-countries/710841 "2015-01-25T11:09:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-liberal-countries/710841/61 "2015-01-29T15:52:54Z")

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> [@Taber](#):
>
> Safety and freedom aren’t really inversely proportional. If you restricted my freedom to purchase a home security system, my safety would also be compromised. Absolute freedom is usually not particularly safe, but neither is absolute restriction.

Interesting point, but bad example. There are all manner of alternate ways to defend your home besides purchasing a home security system - dogs, armed guards, shark filled moat, etc. The broad point though, if ones freedom to make themself safe from others was removed one would be less safe, is theorectically valid. I can’t, however, think of a case where such has happened.

> [@Der\_Trihs](#):
>
> That’s not true.The US has been more free in some areas, less so in others. In most others, I think. It especially has a habit of letting the corporations and wealthy trample all over everyone else, and claiming that being oppressed or exploited by them _doesn’t count_ as a lack of freedom.

Yeah, 'cause we here in America have no choice about whom to work for or whom to do business with. Nor do we have any way to influence who our government representatives are. We are oppressed!!! :rolleyes: There are reasons I don’t frequent Great Debates, mainly because I just don’t have the time for this kind of back and forth. I have stated my opinion, and shared an example of another who does as well. In this forum that is all that is required. Don’t like it? Fine, no skin off my nose.

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**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\
**Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fantasy-liberal-countries/710841/62 "2015-01-30T00:58:17Z")

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> [@Voyager](#):
>
> Homicides are not equally distributed. Certain areas are very dangerous, but one could argue that is because of the surplus of guns, not their lack. But lots of people in very safe areas read the news and are petrified, like my neighbor for instance. We live in one of the safest cities in the country, and in a good part of it, and he is sure someone is going to invade his home.

Well actually, crude homicide statistics are even worse, insofar as most murders are apparently perpetuated among acquaintances. I tried to address this with firearm injury rates, but honestly I’m not sure about their pattern.

Many years ago, a Brit once told me of a study indicating that those who feared crime the most (eg the older) tended to have lower risks of crime and _visa versa_. So yes, most are pretty bad at risk assessment, which is understandable as basically no US institution consistently reports them in context. (There are articles however.)

At any rate, I think it’s reasonable to be wary of going to a convenience store after dark in US urban areas, more so than in western Europe never mind Japan. It doesn’t stop me, but it does encourage me to be aware of my surroundings. I suppose I have some sort exciting urban event every few years.

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