Eleutheromania

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Eleutheromania, or eleutherophilia is "a mania or frantic zeal for freedom". [1] Some usages of the term make it sound like it could be used in a medical context with a hint of an irrational disorder, such as John G Robertson's definition that described it as a mad zeal or irresistible craving for freedom. [2] However other usages assign to the term normal human emotional responses such as a mere passion for liberty. [3] Individuals with this condition are called eleutheromaniacs. [4] An antonym for the term is eleutherophobia. An individual that fears freedom is an eleutherophobe. [2]

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Ama-gi is a Sumerian word written 𒂼𒄄ama-gi4 or 𒂼𒅈𒄄ama-ar-gi4. It has been translated as "freedom", as well as "manumission", "exemption from debts or obligations", and "the restoration of persons and property to their original status" including the remission of debts. Other interpretations include a "reversion to a previous state" and release from debt, slavery, taxation or punishment.

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Libertarianism is a political philosophy that upholds liberty as a core value. Libertarians seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize the state's violation of individual liberties; emphasizing free association, freedom of choice, individualism and voluntary association. Libertarians often share a skepticism of authority and state power, but some libertarians diverge on the scope of their opposition to existing economic and political systems. Various schools of Libertarian thought offer a range of views regarding the legitimate functions of state and private power, often calling for the restriction or dissolution of coercive social institutions. Different categorizations have been used to distinguish various forms of Libertarianism. Scholars distinguish libertarian views on the nature of property and capital, usually along left–right or socialist–capitalist lines. Libertarians of various schools were influenced by liberal ideas.

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<i>The Descent of Liberty</i>

The Descent of Liberty was a masque written by Leigh Hunt in 1814. Held in Horsemonger Lane Prison, Hunt wrote the masque to occupy himself, and it was published in 1815. The masque describes a country that is cursed by an Enchanter and begins with shepherds hearing a sound that heralds change. The Enchanter is defeated by fire coming out of clouds, and the image of Liberty and Peace, along with the Allied nations, figures representing Spring and art, and others appear to take over the land. In the final moments, a new spring comes and the prisoners are released. It is intended to represent Britain in 1814, emphasising freedom and focusing on the common people rather than the aristocracy. Many contemporary reviews from both Hunt's fellow poets and literary magazines were positive, although the British Critic described the work as a "pert and vulgar insolence of a Sunday demagogue, dictating on matters of taste to town apprentices and of politics to their conceited masters".

References

  1. The French Revolution - Page 242, A.H.R. Ball - 2005
  2. 1 2 John Robertson, An Excess of Phobias and Manias, 2003 p 75
  3. Liberty - Volumes 235-312 - Page 361, Benjamin Ricketson Tucker - 1970
  4. Current Literature - Volume 49 - Page 564, Edward Jewitt Wheeler - 1910