Final answer:
The balance between liberty, freedom, and security is crucial in a democratic society like the United States. Liberties are protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, but come with responsibilities not to impinge on others' happiness. Recent security concerns have challenged this balance, illustrating the ongoing conflict between individual rights and national security.
Step-by-step explanation:
Liberty vs. Freedom and Security
The debate over liberty and freedom as it pertains to security is a significant aspect of any democratic society. Liberty allows for personal freedoms and the ability to make choices without undue government restraint. However, there's a balance to be maintained between these liberties and the equal opportunities for all citizens which is central to the democratic principles. Those principles include the pursuit of happiness as mentioned by the founding fathers. An overemphasis on equality of outcome, rather than opportunity, can lead to restrictions on liberty.
Liberty and responsibility are deeply intertwined in the context of the United States. While Americans enjoy a broad range of liberties, as outlined in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, these liberties come with the condition that they do not infringe on the happiness or freedoms of others. In light of security concerns, measures such as the USA PATRIOT Act have prompted discussions about the extent to which individual rights and freedoms can be curtailed for the sake of national security.
Governments and equality face a delicate task of preserving a degree of equality without overly restricting the liberty of their citizens. This balance has been a root of political conflict since the inception of democratic governance. The idea that government should not dictate how individuals live their lives is central to American values, but it must still act to promote the overall happiness of society. This ongoing conflict between security and liberty, and between individual rights and societal interests, presents a challenging area for government policymakers and courts today. The concept of the American Dream also factors in, suggesting everyone should have equal opportunities to achieve economic success and improve their standard of living.