references, this freedom also facilitates the participation of members of the public in the making of key decisions. Thus in a country that has never enjoyed such an experience, the same could come in handy. In such a case, such a freedom would allow individuals to exercise their democratic right to not only vote but also take part in key decision making initiatives which could in one way or the other impact on their lives. This would also go a long way to further entrench accountability and participation which are critical ingredients for a society governed by the rule of law. It can be noted that in most instances, the violation of one freedom is often accompanied by the violation of another. Hence safeguarding freedom of expression would also help safeguard the other basic freedoms. However, as the Human Rights Education Associates note, significant progress has in the past been made in securing this freedom (n.p).

Regarding freedom of association, the same concerns itself with permitting people in a given society to collectively defend, pursue as well as express those interests they regard or consider common. This freedom by virtue of inclusion into various human rights instruments as well as constitutions is considered one of the basic freedoms. Sometimes used synonymously with freedom of assembly, freedom of expression could also entail the freedom to gather for the purpose of expressing, defending or promoting those interests considered common. For countries that have never enjoyed basic freedoms, this particular freedom effectively gives citizens the power to collectively influence both elected and appointed leaders. In such a case, this freedom could be exercised by way of either mass action or protests. For such countries, this freedom could be used by the citizenry as a symbol of displeasure with the ruling class. Thus when an issue is considered unpopular, those in position of authority would be courteous to implement the same as that could trigger mass protests. It is however important to note that just like all freedoms and rights, this freedom comes with several duties which citizens must observe while enjoying the same.

Yet another necessary freedom for those countries which have never enjoyed democracy or freedom is freedom of movement. It is important to note that the observance of this freedom has a significant impact on basic human rights of citizens within a given country. The denial of this freedom is catastrophic as it could have ripple effects on the enjoyment of other freedoms and rights.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be noted that the relevance of freedom and democracy cannot be overstated in a modern society. The U.S. government in that regard should be lauded for the steps it has taken over time to ensure that primary democratic principles are not only safeguarded but also advanced. Such efforts will inevitably have a positive impact on both regional and international stability going forward.