Freedom for Sale: Why the World Is Trading Democracy for Security

by John Kampfner

Democratic liberalism v. authoritarianism – the ideological divide that defined the twentieth century. But when the cold war ended, “the end of history” was proclaimed. Soon the fire of freedom would burn worldwide, the experts said. And where markets were freed, human rights would inevitably follow.

Or not. In the last twenty years, nations including India, Russia, China and the United Arab Emirates have disproved the idea that capitalism and democracy are inextricably linked. Emerging middle classes have proven themselves all too willing to sacrifice certain democratic rights – including free speech, an open media, and free elections – in exchange for prosperity. But they are not alone. We are all doing it. Alarmingly, Western democracy has adopted some of the attributes of that authoritarianism.

Combining boots on the ground reporting with incisive analysis, award-winning journalist John Kampfner describes this alarming trend – one which has only been exacerbated by the global economic meltdown – and what citizens must do to counter it.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Economics, British Literature, Journalism, 21st Century, International Relations

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2009

About the author

John Kampfner is an author, commentator, broadcaster and journalist. From 2008 to 2012 he ran Index on Censorship, from 2005 to 2008 he was editor of the New Statesman, and before that he worked for the Financial Times, the BBC and the Telegraph. He is a regular pundit and presenter for all channels on politics and foreign affairs and the author of four previous books. - from publishers Allen and Unwin

Reviews

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." The book, written in 2009, starts with the famous quote from Benjamin Franklin and after running through examples of just such a purchase in 8 countries, it almost seems we've gotten what we deserve. Or maybe it's what we purchased, since the modern sacrifice often exchanges a thriving economy for liberty. The examples in the book include Singapore, "the Disneyland with the death penalty" where the economy is great. The government provides for the basic well being of it's people and has a thriving free market but you can severely punished for dissent, chewing gum, littering or being gay (or at least acting on it). In China, the Singapore model is being mimicked, without the care for the less fortunate, all controlled by communist party leaders. Russia, of course, has gone from being controlled by the oligarchs to having the oligarchs controlled by one man, where instead of being jailed for dissent, you'll probably be poisoned or shot, but of course, the international business community is quite welcome so long as you keep your damn mouth shut. In the UAE, there is no notional democracy, it is still a seemingly kindly monarchy. The market is fully embraced, fundamentalism is kept under the surface, and slave labor serves the worlds elite. In India, the worlds largest democracy, the poor are much worse off and kept behind shiny gates and malls of the rich. Silvio Berlusconi of Italy is an interesting case. A boisterous, womanizing billionaire with a history of shady business dealings and a disdain of the courts and press; he seemed to be the proto-trump. Then, of course, we have the king of surveillance, the UK. CCTV everywhere and libel laws in which the accused have the burden of proof, ensuring that the wealthy cannot be spoken ill of lightly. The grand finale is the USA, my country tis of thee, which quite willingly and fearfully and patriotically with hands on hearts handed over many rights after 9/11 (but being self-respecting Americans, most of the rights we hand over belong to someone not of our tribe). And aside from the governments role, we will gladly self censor in order to not give offense, as evidenced by the press and universities non-critical stance of the post 9/11 military adventures (and after this book, the identity politics of the left and the outrage over black protest on the right, which is really also identity politics). This book contains several case studies and isn't doesn't exactly point to one right way to do things. It does, however, point to many, many wrong ways. From monarchies and democratic republics to communist states and oligarchies, it seems people are more than happy to sacrifice freedom for both security and economic wealth.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mistaking comfort for freedom is a constant struggle for me, but it's nice to know I'm not the only one.

[Iván · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libro muy interesante, me ha gustado mucho. Es un viaje político, económico y social a varios países: Singapur, China, Rusia, Emiratos Árabes Unidos, India, Italia, Inglaterra y EEUU. Se analizan temas diversos, desde las libertades individuales al poder político, el desarrollo o los intereses del país. Un libro imprescindible para entender el mundo de hoy.

[Rindo]

The problem with reading real books: it's not as easy to right-click and google stuff to fact-check. Because I'm too lazy to whip out my phone while holding on to a book AND to an MRT handle, I set aside my skepticism for the moment, forget about it, and thus invariably take an author's narrative at face value.

I have always been critical of journalists writing books on global trends, primarily for what I feel are their eurocentric views against which all socio-political environments are judged. More so with John Kampfner.

I'm sure this book is backed by solid research, but his thoughts on the Asian countries (and Russia!) seem critical of the very fundamental nature of their functioning, whereas with countries like Italy, Britain and the US, the book treats them as nations built upon lofty principles but now beset with (temporary?) lapses of poor judgement and circumstance.

It's thorough, and I find myself agreeing with a lot of what he says, but throwaway lines like "US has a permanent base in Singapore" and other claims of dubious veracity throw some shadow in what's otherwise a very informative read.

Color me biased. It's still an excellent read, and he shows a nuanced understanding of the situation of "democracy" in Singapore, China, Russia, India, Italy, UK, and USA.

[Ravi Mehta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that makes you wonder about the political discourse around you and what would be best for the world. Indeed a difficult one to answer !! “Freedom for Sale” takes you on a journey across 8 nations - each of them having gone through varying circumstances and political setups. From communism to autocracy to democracy - you see it all. But once you’ve read the book, you’ll agree those terminologies are mere terms and no “one” definition fits any nation. This book debunks many theories that you may have about what is best for a society - questioning yourself on many occasions whether freedom is over rated. How does one balance the need for freedom - security - prosperity? The success of some of the countries highlighted will create biases in your mind. You will notice odd and interesting similarities with probably the country you live in. In all, a book that will make you really think hard about world politics. The book states facts with some flavour of the author’s opinion, but it shall allow you to form your own. The only down side - the book is based around 2010 and a lot has changed since then.

[Rahul Sahu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Western liberalism lens is used to see the world so user has to discount that factor while reading the book.
You can imagine the bias with which author wrote the book that he quoted rape accused journalist Tarun Tejpal in India's chapter and inside the chapter it was all from what and how FCRA-NGO running Teesta Setalvad thinks.

[Lucas Moctezuma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. The copy I have is called "Freedom for Sale: How We Made Money and Lost our Liberty" which isn't really an accurate title. The title here on Goodreads is more reflective of what the book is actually about.

An interesting exploration of several countries and how their governments' policies impose restrictions and curtail individual freedoms - in a way that the public seems to think is okay.

In Singapore, people seem perfectly happy not to criticise the government at all if it means they can go about living a happy life. In Dubai, people are happy to live extravagant lifestyles and leave the oil-rich government alone to do its thing. In the USA and UK, people accept the surveillance state if it means they are kept safe from threats like terrorism.

The premise of the book is predictable. The point is laboured at times. Kampfer's journalistic style, I felt, distracts from his arguments. An important book, but it would have been better told by a geopolitics or policy expert, or a statesperson, rather than a journalist.

[S.H. Villa · Rating 2 out of 5]

He knows everyone and has been everywhere and writes about presidents and peasants equally well. It was interesting. BUT this highly connected and competent journalist is either half blind and totally naïve, or he is purposely playing the role of the tell-it-how-it-is investigator but hiding the evidence. Has he never heard of power play by false flag? Does he really not know what the US and the British are up to? Has he not even begun to suss the lies we are told? I doubt it.

Maybe no one would have published it if he'd told the truth. Well, there's always self-publishing these days. It's no excuse. If you want a story from the inside, read Sibel Edmonds, Lone Gladiator, written as novel to get around the gagging orders on her.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many outstanding passages and self-evident truths in this book that's it's impossible to address them all here. However, I found the idea that citizens will accept "sifficient" freedom in exchange for the ability to casually consume terribly compelling. Also, the word "democracy" with any kind of qualifying prefix just isn't democracy. He's relatively kind to the United States, but the US is probably the worst of all, given that the country is shopping sham democracy around to the rest of the planet as the model to which it should aspire. It is no coincidence that the door-to-door salesman is the military. Orwell was right.

[Tin Wee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting political commentary on the convergence of political systems to one where citizenry trade off certain political 'rights' for security, and economic freedom. Singapore is used as a 'model' where this happens, and the author compares the systems in China, Russia, Italy, India, US and UK to find the key difference seems to be the extent to which the trade-offs are made, esp after 9/11. One key question to mull over: Is the freedom to make money the key motivating factor in human society, and other rights/ freedoms 'secondary'?

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good if rather depressing review on how countries, including those in the West have given up their political freedom for economic gain. He highlights the inequalities that have been growing for the last thirty years in the developed world as well as commenting on those countries that are authoritarian but purport to be democratic.

Quite biased, not surprising really since he was an editor at the New Statesman, but he does bring up some salient thought provoking issues.

[The American Conservative]

'Freedom for Sale is the best synopsis of the recent collapse of restraints on government power. John Kampfner, the editor of Britain’s New Statesman, traveled the world seeking to answer the question: why have freedoms been so easily traded in return for security or prosperity?'

Read the full review, "Global Undemocratic Revolution," on our website:
http://www.theamericanconservative.co...

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting idea and topic. The examples of "the pact" in different countries was illustrative. However, the writing style was a bit of a let down. I in the end I didn't feel too much more prepared to talk about the subject after reading the book. Maybe the citations will provide some interesting sources on the topic.

[Supriya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some bright arguments - enjoyed the framing of the argument about public v/s private freedoms in a post-11/2008 India. Other chapters reveal shallow and biased reportage eg. the UAE chapter. Not awful.

[Alan Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book about the 'pact' made between the people and the state determining how much liberty is given in return for how security. After the most illiberal labour government it is well worth reading.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Freedom For Sale opens with the following quote: Why is it that so many people around the world appear willing to give up freedoms in return for either security or prosperity?

Though Freedom For Sale had quite a bit of insightful information, it was a tedious read.

[Star Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent coverage of the world's democracies

[Alex Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many are willing to sacrifice anything for economic prosperity and stability.

[Greg Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real eye opener. Thoroughly enjoyable and rigarous. Singapore = Disneyland with the death penalty!

[Ian Divertie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its been awhile since I read this one. I liked it, I probably should reread it.

[Keen Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disneyland with the death penalty

A thoroughly engaging insight into a number of countries around the world like India, Singapore, China, Russia, the UAE, the UK and the US, shining a light and finding many ugly political truths. Corruption, chaos and hypocrisy as standard here as we delve into the politics of each country. This is good, sharp polemical writing up there with people like Greg Palast and Christopher Hitchens.