What balance, if any, needs to be struck between the protection of individual rights and government's objective to ensuring public safety? Provide examples.

Answer 1

Benjamin Franklin was reported to have said, "those who give up liberty for security will get neither"

It's always a temptation to submit to greater government power due to threats to security, but what will keep us secure from the government and police, after we've given up our civil liberties? It's the "Road to Serfdom" which is actually the title of a classic book by Nobel Laureate FA Hayek. Hayek argues the more government power over its citizens is a downward spiral leading to a new personality, as people no longer take actions based on what is right or wrong but on whether they are complying with endless laws and regulations. It creates a nation of sheep and serfs, ready to be eaten by wolves running the government.

Other problems Hayek saw with increased government controls were more government propaganda, more corruption as businesses try to circumvent endless regulations, censorship, and criminalization of dissent with political prisoners. He viewed the increased "security" as leading to more authoritarian governments like the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany.