Final answer:
Freedom is often a struggle as it goes against established power structures and requires maintaining balance between individual rights and collective good. While globalization has presented the potential for widespread economic freedom, it is not yet a reality for most, and active engagement is required to pursue true freedom.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quest for freedom is often a struggle because it challenges existing institutions and systems of power, which have established controls over individuals and groups for various reasons, including economic interest, societal norms, and governance. Achieving economic freedom for the majority of the world's population is still not a reality, despite globalization which could offer opportunities for widespread prosperity. The balance between individual rights and collective goods creates tension in defining freedom.
Resistance to freedom comes from both individuals and institutions due to their own vested interests or ideologies. As Philosopher Michel Foucault suggests, freedom is a practice that, despite the establishment of certain laws and institutions, must be exercised actively to ensure it is genuinely experienced. In movements like the Civil Rights Movement, leaders exemplified that freedom was an intentional practice that stemmed from recognizing one's inherent self-worth and humanity.
Any fight for freedom has to negotiate the complexities of ensuring that one person's freedoms do not impinge on another's. This is evident in the ongoing discussions about equality, property rights, and the pursuit of happiness. Hence, freedom is a continually evolving concept that demands active engagement and dedication to achieve and maintain for all individuals.