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Freiheit

Freiheit refers to the condition of being free from coercion, and the capacity to act, think, or choose according to one's own will. In German usage, the term encompasses liberty, autonomy, and self-determination across philosophy, law, politics, and everyday life. Its etymology traces to the Old High German frei, from Proto-Germanic frijaz, cognate with similar terms in related languages.

Conceptual distinctions: Negative freedom means the absence of external constraints or interference; positive freedom denotes the

Legal and political dimensions: In liberal democracies, Freiheit is protected as civil liberties, such as freedom

History and practice: Freiheit has been a central value in German-speaking political culture and in liberal

Critiques and contemporary issues: Some theorists argue that genuine freedom requires equality of opportunity and social

opportunity
to
develop
and
exercise
one's
capacities
and
to
participate
in
social
life.
The
term
is
closely
tied
to
debates
about
autonomy,
self-government,
and,
in
philosophy,
free
will.
of
expression,
religion,
assembly,
and
privacy,
as
well
as
freedom
of
movement
and
sometimes
economic
freedom.
The
state
may
impose
lawful
limits
on
freedom
to
protect
public
order,
safety,
or
the
rights
of
others,
under
the
rule
of
law.
and
human-rights
movements.
Internationally,
freedoms
are
articulated
in
documents
such
as
the
Universal
Declaration
of
Human
Rights
and
the
International
Covenant
on
Civil
and
Political
Rights.
conditions;
others
emphasize
tensions
between
liberty
and
security
or
between
individual
rights
and
collective
goods.
Modern
discussions
address
digital
rights,
freedom
of
information,
and
the
limits
of
free
speech.