Final answer:
The right to be left alone and free from unwarranted intrusion is known as the right to privacy, which is central to personal autonomy and civil liberty. It is legally protected in many jurisdictions around the world, ensuring individuals' freedom from government or public interference in personal matters.
Step-by-step explanation:
“The right to be left alone and to be free of unreasonable personal intrusions” refers to the concept of privacy. This right is foundational to civil liberty, encompassing personal autonomy and the freedom to make personal decisions without interference. According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, the right to privacy is defined as “the right of a person to be free from intrusion into or publicity concerning matters of a personal nature.” Within a liberal democratic system, privacy is essential for individual autonomy, providing a separate space from public life that precludes monitoring or surveillance by others or the government.
Historically significant cases like Pierce v. Society of Sisters and Griswold v. Connecticut have upheld this right, recognizing it as pivotal for protecting various personal freedoms, such as parental control over a child's education and adult's sexual and reproductive decisions. The right to privacy is internationally recognized, with most countries explicitly acknowledging its importance within their legal frameworks, such as the UK Human Rights Act of 1998 which protects private and family life from unwarranted public authority interference.