America has come to be popularly known for its belief in civil right and individual liberty. This can be explained by the acronym; “God’s own country” which the nation has been called. Not only are they known for their preference for freedom, their history is hinged on this very concept. The fight for the American independence was a fight of the common people for a better life – a life where they are free to exercise their God-given right, a nation devoid of slavery and excessive tax payment and a life where they are at liberty to express themselves. However, as opposed to the idea that many people hold, if we are to talk of a nation prided for their devotion to liberty and freedom, one can not look beyond the Dutch.
The Dutch history is a history characterized by the fight for freedom from the oppression of the French colony and a battle for freedom of their people. Historically, the Dutch Republic that spanned from 1581 – 1795, operated a system of government that consisted of seven separate provinces. Each of these provinces has an autonomous government. It was also a representative government where the issues of the confederation were discussed on a round table and representatives of each province will be present. During the World War II, the Germans took hold of Netherlands and took them to be workers. Several Dutch Jews were captured and taken to Nazi camps. When the war ended, only few of those that were captured were alive. With their history, I am forced to believe that their extreme devotion to freedom and liberty can be explained by what they have gone thorough. Netherlands is a nation that is comprised of different people from different backgrounds, who have gone through different things and have different ideals. If there is a better word to use to describe The Dutch nation, I think it would be that they are polarized. The population is comprised of people that have the same cultural heritage but through the years have been forced and exposed to different kinds of cultures and ways of life.
In today’s modern world, there has been clamoring from different quarters about the liberty and freedom of the individual in the state. Consequently, one might say that so many countries have policies in place that would guarantee the liberty of the individual in the society. Oftentimes, this is enacted as law and embedded in the constitution of every nation. However, the liberty and freedom that exist amongst the Dutch can be described as one that is interesting, uncommon and unique. Not only do they have policies that support the usual individual rights and liberty, this liberty also extends to some preferences and moral choices which some countries have turn their backs on. In this essay, focus will be drawn on the various freedom and liberty that the Dutch enjoy. I would also be pointing out the difference between The Dutch kind of liberty with that of some other nations like England, America and other countries in Europe.
The first kind of freedom that is peculiar to Netherlands is the freedom of religion, freedom from religion and freedom by religion. The former is the freedom for any citizen or resident of the country to practice whatever religion they deem fit. There is not restriction to what religion you chose to belong, your religious beliefs and your religious practice in as much as it does not infringe in the right of another person. The second is the freedom to refrain from any religious worship. No man can be forced or coarsed under any circumstance to belong any religious group or sect. This is because the country is a multicultural nation with different people having disparity in their religious beliefs. The latter is the right to do some things that are acceptable under the religion that you belong to. For instance you can make some utterances and profess your claims in as much as it is acceptable under your religious doctrine.
Furthermore, there is freedom to public information. Unlike some other countries around the world, there is the constitutional right to free access to public information. The citizens of the nation have the reserved right to information and this comes with some free services like internet access and so on. Apart from this, there is the freedom about individual privacy, freedom to expression, as long as it is prudent and free distribution in order to increase trade.
Going further, the Dutch nation has been known for its legal standing on some things that would have been considered illegal in other countries around the world. I would enumerate these unique liberties below.
Essentially, one thing one can not but make reference to is their stand on drugs. Unlike other countries, their drug policy can be described as a bit lenient. Some drugs are still allowed to be sold and consumed by citizens. Apart from this, there is the freedom to prostitutes. The Dutch government or constitution does not ban prostitution. This is because it is considered as a profession and not a thing of reproach. This might have been informed in the fact that during the World War II, several ladies were captured in the Netherlands to be whores. Arguably, this is what has rubbed off on them.
In addition to this, unlike other countries around the world, Netherlands identifies with the right of the individual to ask for euthanasia under certain conditions. In Netherlands today, some forms of euthanasia is allowed. In other countries around the world, there is a strong stand against euthanasia because it is believed that the state is the owner of the individual life. The implication of this is the fact that we can say that the individual has a right to take his/her life in some conditions and that would not be counted as a crime as he has a right on his/her own life. Also, same-sex marriage has been legalized in Netherlands. This was as far back as 2001. There is also the liberty to own and use weapons like guns.
Summarily, considering the policies of the Dutch government, one can not but tag them as the country in the fore-front of liberalism. Little wonder the stature of liberty itself is replicated in Geffen, Netherlands. In fact, I would propose that instead of the stature to be lying in the city of New York, it should be taken to where it should be – Netherlands, the home of liberty!
Reference:
Welschen, Ad: Course Dutch Society and Culture, International School for Humanities and Social Studies ISHSS, Universiteit van Amsterdam, 2000-2005.
