Intermediate150 min
Ellipsis and substitution
Ellipsis
Ellipsis means omitting words. We often omit words, especially in informal English, because the listener or reader can still understand what we mean from context. We tend to omit subjects (sometimes with a/an), auxiliary verbs and modal verbs.
- We identified a potential partner and (we) contacted them. (subject)
- We’ve been researching and (we’ve been) developing this product for some time. (subject + auxiliary verb)
- We should form an alliance and (we should) combine our resources. (subject + modal verb)
We sometimes omit verb phrases to avoid repeating them. When we do this, we include an auxiliary verb.
- Not many people have one, but I do (have one).
- We haven’t got the technology, but they have (got the technology).
- They were hoping to complete it by today, but they haven’t (completed it).
Ellipsis is particularly common in conversational English, whether it’s spoken or written (e.g. in social media messages). Examples include:
- (That’s) Interesting!
- (That’s a) Good idea!
- (It’s) Nice to meet you.
- (That’s) Not true.
- (That) Sounds good to me.
- (Did you have a) Fun day?
- (It’s) Nice weather today.
Substitution
We sometimes replace a word or phrase with another word or phrase in order to avoid repetition. We tend to use one, do/did, so, do so, not, the same and determiners (e.g. some, many) for this.
- I didn’t have a job last year, but I’ve got one (a job) now.
- My brother went into the car industry and so I did the same (went into the car industry).
- There are a few people here but not many (people are here).
- A: Do you think it’ll happen? B: I expect so (it will happen).
- C: I hope not (it won’t happen).
Notice that we use a form of do + so in place of a verb phrase we omit to avoid repetition. It means ‘do it’. It tends to sound more formal.
- We were asked to partner with the company and we did so (partnered with the company).
- He says he’ll leave, but we don’t think he’ll do so (leave).
Quiz
Question 1 of 10
Fill in the blank using ellipsis: "She can play the guitar, and he ___ (can play the guitar)."
does
can
is
can do
Social Order of the State and the Liberty of the Individual: The Eternal Tension
The delicate balancing act between maintaining social order and preserving individual liberty has been the cornerstone of political philosophy for centuries. This fundamental tension cuts to the heart of what it means to live in a civilized society, where the state must walk a tightrope between ensuring collective security and respecting personal freedoms. As governments worldwide grapple with this age-old conundrum, the stakes have never been higher in our increasingly interconnected world.
At first glance, social order and individual liberty might appear to be at odds with each other. The state's primary obligation is to keep the peace, protect its citizens from harm, and maintain the rule of law. To achieve these objectives, governments must necessarily impose certain restrictions on personal behavior, curtail some freedoms, and establish clear boundaries that citizens are expected to respect. However, taken to extremes, such measures can quickly transform a protective state into an authoritarian regime that tramples on the very rights it was meant to safeguard.
The social contract theory, championed by philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, attempts to square this circle by suggesting that individuals voluntarily surrender certain freedoms in exchange for the benefits of organized society. Under this framework, people trade some of their natural liberty for protection, security, and the advantages that come with collective action. The key question, however, is where to draw the line – how much freedom should individuals be willing to give up, and at what point does the state overstep its bounds?
History provides countless examples of what happens when this balance tips too far in either direction. Societies that prioritize order above all else often find themselves sliding down a slippery slope toward totalitarianism. Citizens become mere cogs in the machine, expected to fall in line without question and conform to rigid standards imposed from above. Such systems may achieve stability in the short term, but they invariably stifle innovation, creativity, and human progress. When people are afraid to speak their minds or challenge authority, society becomes stagnant and ultimately vulnerable to collapse.
Conversely, when individual liberty runs riot without sufficient checks and balances, chaos can ensue. Complete freedom, while appealing in theory, can lead to a state of nature where might makes right and the strong prey upon the weak. Without some form of social organization and shared rules, communities fragment and cooperation becomes nearly impossible. The result is often a breakdown of trust, increased conflict, and ultimately a quality of life that is far worse than what might be achieved through reasonable compromise.
Modern democracies have attempted to thread the needle by establishing constitutional frameworks that protect fundamental rights while empowering governments to maintain order. Bills of rights, independent judiciaries, and checks and balances between different branches of government are all designed to prevent any single entity from accumulating too much power. These safeguards help ensure that the state serves the people rather than the other way around, but they require constant vigilance to remain effective.
The digital age has thrown a wrench into traditional approaches to this problem. Technology has given individuals unprecedented tools for self-expression, organization, and resistance to authority. Social media platforms allow dissidents to mobilize quickly and spread their message far and wide, making it increasingly difficult for authoritarian regimes to maintain information control. At the same time, these same technologies provide governments with sophisticated surveillance capabilities that would have been unimaginable just a few decades ago.
Emergency situations often bring this tension to a head, forcing societies to make difficult trade-offs between liberty and security. The COVID-19 pandemic exemplified this challenge, as governments around the world imposed lockdowns, travel restrictions, and mask mandates in the name of public health. While many accepted these measures as necessary evils, others pushed back against what they saw as government overreach, arguing that the cure was worse than the disease.
The challenge for contemporary societies is to develop flexible institutions that can adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining core principles. This requires a mature political culture where citizens understand both their rights and responsibilities, where leaders are held accountable for their actions, and where public discourse is conducted in good faith rather than through manipulation and demagoguery.
Economic factors also play a crucial role in this equation. When people are struggling to make ends meet, they may be more willing to trade freedom for security, creating opportunities for populist leaders to exploit their fears and resentments. Conversely, prosperity can sometimes lead to complacency, with citizens taking their freedoms for granted until it's too late to defend them.
Education emerges as a critical component in maintaining this balance. An informed citizenry is better equipped to recognize threats to both order and liberty, to participate meaningfully in democratic processes, and to hold their representatives accountable. When people understand the historical context of their institutions and the principles upon which they're based, they're more likely to defend them against erosion from either extreme.
Ultimately, the tension between social order and individual liberty cannot be resolved once and for all – it must be continuously negotiated and renegotiated as circumstances change. The price of freedom, as the saying goes, is eternal vigilance, and this applies not just to external threats but to the internal forces that would upset the delicate balance between collective security and personal autonomy.
At first glance, social order and individual liberty might appear to be at odds with each other. The state's primary obligation is to keep the peace, protect its citizens from harm, and maintain the rule of law. To achieve these objectives, governments must necessarily impose certain restrictions on personal behavior, curtail some freedoms, and establish clear boundaries that citizens are expected to respect. However, taken to extremes, such measures can quickly transform a protective state into an authoritarian regime that tramples on the very rights it was meant to safeguard.
The social contract theory, championed by philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, attempts to square this circle by suggesting that individuals voluntarily surrender certain freedoms in exchange for the benefits of organized society. Under this framework, people trade some of their natural liberty for protection, security, and the advantages that come with collective action. The key question, however, is where to draw the line – how much freedom should individuals be willing to give up, and at what point does the state overstep its bounds?
History provides countless examples of what happens when this balance tips too far in either direction. Societies that prioritize order above all else often find themselves sliding down a slippery slope toward totalitarianism. Citizens become mere cogs in the machine, expected to fall in line without question and conform to rigid standards imposed from above. Such systems may achieve stability in the short term, but they invariably stifle innovation, creativity, and human progress. When people are afraid to speak their minds or challenge authority, society becomes stagnant and ultimately vulnerable to collapse.
Conversely, when individual liberty runs riot without sufficient checks and balances, chaos can ensue. Complete freedom, while appealing in theory, can lead to a state of nature where might makes right and the strong prey upon the weak. Without some form of social organization and shared rules, communities fragment and cooperation becomes nearly impossible. The result is often a breakdown of trust, increased conflict, and ultimately a quality of life that is far worse than what might be achieved through reasonable compromise.
Modern democracies have attempted to thread the needle by establishing constitutional frameworks that protect fundamental rights while empowering governments to maintain order. Bills of rights, independent judiciaries, and checks and balances between different branches of government are all designed to prevent any single entity from accumulating too much power. These safeguards help ensure that the state serves the people rather than the other way around, but they require constant vigilance to remain effective.
The digital age has thrown a wrench into traditional approaches to this problem. Technology has given individuals unprecedented tools for self-expression, organization, and resistance to authority. Social media platforms allow dissidents to mobilize quickly and spread their message far and wide, making it increasingly difficult for authoritarian regimes to maintain information control. At the same time, these same technologies provide governments with sophisticated surveillance capabilities that would have been unimaginable just a few decades ago.
Emergency situations often bring this tension to a head, forcing societies to make difficult trade-offs between liberty and security. The COVID-19 pandemic exemplified this challenge, as governments around the world imposed lockdowns, travel restrictions, and mask mandates in the name of public health. While many accepted these measures as necessary evils, others pushed back against what they saw as government overreach, arguing that the cure was worse than the disease.
The challenge for contemporary societies is to develop flexible institutions that can adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining core principles. This requires a mature political culture where citizens understand both their rights and responsibilities, where leaders are held accountable for their actions, and where public discourse is conducted in good faith rather than through manipulation and demagoguery.
Economic factors also play a crucial role in this equation. When people are struggling to make ends meet, they may be more willing to trade freedom for security, creating opportunities for populist leaders to exploit their fears and resentments. Conversely, prosperity can sometimes lead to complacency, with citizens taking their freedoms for granted until it's too late to defend them.
Education emerges as a critical component in maintaining this balance. An informed citizenry is better equipped to recognize threats to both order and liberty, to participate meaningfully in democratic processes, and to hold their representatives accountable. When people understand the historical context of their institutions and the principles upon which they're based, they're more likely to defend them against erosion from either extreme.
Ultimately, the tension between social order and individual liberty cannot be resolved once and for all – it must be continuously negotiated and renegotiated as circumstances change. The price of freedom, as the saying goes, is eternal vigilance, and this applies not just to external threats but to the internal forces that would upset the delicate balance between collective security and personal autonomy.
Balancing act
Meaning: A difficult situation requiring careful management of competing demands
Cornerstone of
Meaning: The fundamental basis or most important part of something
Cut to the heart of
Meaning: To address the most essential or important aspect of something
Walk a tightrope
Meaning: To maintain a careful balance in a difficult situation
Grapple with
Meaning: To struggle to understand or deal with a difficult problem
Age-old conundrum
Meaning: A very old problem that is difficult to solve
At first glance
Meaning: When first looking at something; initially
At odds with
Meaning: In conflict or disagreement with something
Keep the peace
Meaning: To maintain order and prevent conflict
Rule of law
Meaning: The principle that law should govern a nation
Taken to extremes
Meaning: When carried too far or to an excessive degree
Trample on
Meaning: To violate or disregard someone's rights
Square this circle
Meaning: To solve an apparently impossible problem
Draw the line
Meaning: To set a limit or boundary
Overstep its bounds
Meaning: To go beyond acceptable limits of authority
Tip too far
Meaning: To go beyond the proper balance point
Slide down a slippery slope
Meaning: To gradually move toward a worse situation
Cogs in the machine
Meaning: People treated as replaceable parts of a system
Fall in line
Meaning: To conform and obey without question
Speak their minds
Meaning: To express opinions freely and honestly
Run riot
Meaning: To act without control or restraint
Checks and balances
Meaning: System to prevent abuse of power
Might makes right
Meaning: The belief that power determines what is correct
Prey upon
Meaning: To take advantage of or exploit someone weaker
Thread the needle
Meaning: To find a precise solution to a difficult problem
Throw a wrench into
Meaning: To disrupt or complicate a process
Far and wide
Meaning: Over a large area or to many people
Bring to a head
Meaning: To cause a situation to reach a crisis point
Push back against
Meaning: To resist or oppose something
Government overreach
Meaning: When government exceeds its proper authority
Worse than the disease
Meaning: When a solution causes more problems than the original issue
Make ends meet
Meaning: To have enough money to pay for basic needs
Take for granted
Meaning: To not appreciate something because it's always available
Hold accountable
Meaning: To make someone responsible for their actions
Once and for all
Meaning: Completely and finally
The price of freedom
Meaning: What must be sacrificed to maintain liberty
Eternal vigilance
Meaning: Constant watchfulness and attention
Give up
Meaning: To surrender or abandon something
Push back
Meaning: To resist or oppose forcefully
Slide down
Meaning: To gradually move toward a worse condition
Speak up
Meaning: To express opinions freely and boldly
Delicate balancing act
Meaning: A careful management of competing interests
Fundamental tension
Meaning: Basic conflict between opposing forces
Civilized society
Meaning: An organized community with established laws and customs
Collective security
Meaning: Safety achieved through group cooperation
Primary obligation
Meaning: The most important duty or responsibility
Authoritarian regime
Meaning: A government with concentrated power and limited freedoms
Social contract theory
Meaning: The idea that people agree to form societies for mutual benefit
Natural liberty
Meaning: Freedom that exists in the absence of government
Collective action
Meaning: Coordinated effort by a group of people
Rigid standards
Meaning: Inflexible rules or requirements
Human progress
Meaning: Advancement of civilization and knowledge
State of nature
Meaning: Condition of humanity before organized society
Constitutional frameworks
Meaning: Legal structures that define government powers and limits
Fundamental rights
Meaning: Basic freedoms that cannot be taken away
Independent judiciaries
Meaning: Court systems free from political influence
Unprecedented tools
Meaning: Resources or methods never available before
Information control
Meaning: Management of what people know or learn
Sophisticated surveillance
Meaning: Advanced monitoring and observation systems
Emergency situations
Meaning: Crisis conditions requiring immediate action
Difficult trade-offs
Meaning: Hard choices between competing values
Flexible institutions
Meaning: Organizations that can adapt to change
Mature political culture
Meaning: A society with well-developed democratic practices
Public discourse
Meaning: Open discussion of important issues
Populist leaders
Meaning: Politicians who appeal to ordinary people's concerns
Informed citizenry
Meaning: A population that is knowledgeable about important issues
Democratic processes
Meaning: Methods of making decisions through public participation
Historical context
Meaning: The circumstances and background of past events
External threats
Meaning: Dangers coming from outside sources
Internal forces
Meaning: Influences operating within a system
Personal autonomy
Meaning: Individual self-governance and freedom
Conundrum /kəˈnʌndrəm/ (US & UK)
Meaning: A difficult problem or puzzle
Interconnected /ˌɪntərkəˈnektəd/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Connected with each other
Obligation /ˌɑblɪˈɡeɪʃən/ (US), /ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃən/ (UK)
Meaning: A duty or commitment
Authoritarian /əˌθɔrəˈteriən/ (US), /ɔːˌθɒrɪˈteəriən/ (UK)
Meaning: Demanding strict obedience to authority
Safeguard /ˈseɪfˌɡɑrd/ (US), /ˈseɪfˌɡɑːd/ (UK)
Meaning: To protect from harm or damage
Voluntarily /ˈvɑlənˌterəli/ (US), /ˈvɒləntrəli/ (UK)
Meaning: Done by choice, not forced
Framework /ˈfreɪmˌwɜrk/ (US & UK)
Meaning: A basic structure or system
Totalitarianism /toʊˌtæləˈteriəˌnɪzəm/ (US), /təʊˌtælɪˈteəriənɪzəm/ (UK)
Meaning: A system of government with absolute control
Invariably /ɪnˈveriəbli/ (US), /ɪnˈveəriəbli/ (UK)
Meaning: Always; without exception
Stifle /ˈstaɪfəl/ (US & UK)
Meaning: To prevent or suppress
Stagnant /ˈstæɡnənt/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Not moving or developing
Vulnerable /ˈvʌlnərəbəl/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Exposed to danger or attack
Ensue /ɪnˈsu/ (US & UK)
Meaning: To happen as a result
Fragment /ˈfræɡmənt/ (US & UK)
Meaning: To break into pieces
Judiciary /dʒuˈdɪʃiˌeri/ (US), /dʒuːˈdɪʃəri/ (UK)
Meaning: The system of courts and judges
Vigilance /ˈvɪdʒələns/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Careful attention to potential dangers
Dissidents /ˈdɪsədənts/ (US & UK)
Meaning: People who oppose official policies
Mobilize /ˈmoʊbəˌlaɪz/ (US), /ˈməʊbəlaɪz/ (UK)
Meaning: To organize for action
Surveillance /sərˈveɪləns/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Close observation or monitoring
Unimaginable /ˌʌnɪˈmædʒənəbəl/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Impossible to think of or believe
Exemplified /ɪɡˈzempləˌfaɪd/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Served as a typical example
Pandemic /pænˈdemɪk/ (US & UK)
Meaning: A disease affecting many countries
Mandates /ˈmænˌdeɪts/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Official orders or requirements
Contemporary /kənˈtempəˌreri/ (US), /kənˈtempərəri/ (UK)
Meaning: Belonging to the present time
Complacency /kəmˈpleɪsənsi/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Self-satisfaction that prevents effort
Demagoguery /ˈdeməˌɡɑɡəri/ (US), /ˈdeməɡɒɡəri/ (UK)
Meaning: Political activity seeking support by appealing to popular prejudices
Prosperity /prɑˈsperəti/ (US), /prɒˈsperəti/ (UK)
Meaning: Success and wealth
Erosion /ɪˈroʊʒən/ (US), /ɪˈrəʊʒən/ (UK)
Meaning: Gradual destruction or weakening
Autonomy /ɔˈtɑnəmi/ (US), /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ (UK)
Meaning: Self-government or independence
Meaning: A difficult situation requiring careful management of competing demands
Cornerstone of
Meaning: The fundamental basis or most important part of something
Cut to the heart of
Meaning: To address the most essential or important aspect of something
Walk a tightrope
Meaning: To maintain a careful balance in a difficult situation
Grapple with
Meaning: To struggle to understand or deal with a difficult problem
Age-old conundrum
Meaning: A very old problem that is difficult to solve
At first glance
Meaning: When first looking at something; initially
At odds with
Meaning: In conflict or disagreement with something
Keep the peace
Meaning: To maintain order and prevent conflict
Rule of law
Meaning: The principle that law should govern a nation
Taken to extremes
Meaning: When carried too far or to an excessive degree
Trample on
Meaning: To violate or disregard someone's rights
Square this circle
Meaning: To solve an apparently impossible problem
Draw the line
Meaning: To set a limit or boundary
Overstep its bounds
Meaning: To go beyond acceptable limits of authority
Tip too far
Meaning: To go beyond the proper balance point
Slide down a slippery slope
Meaning: To gradually move toward a worse situation
Cogs in the machine
Meaning: People treated as replaceable parts of a system
Fall in line
Meaning: To conform and obey without question
Speak their minds
Meaning: To express opinions freely and honestly
Run riot
Meaning: To act without control or restraint
Checks and balances
Meaning: System to prevent abuse of power
Might makes right
Meaning: The belief that power determines what is correct
Prey upon
Meaning: To take advantage of or exploit someone weaker
Thread the needle
Meaning: To find a precise solution to a difficult problem
Throw a wrench into
Meaning: To disrupt or complicate a process
Far and wide
Meaning: Over a large area or to many people
Bring to a head
Meaning: To cause a situation to reach a crisis point
Push back against
Meaning: To resist or oppose something
Government overreach
Meaning: When government exceeds its proper authority
Worse than the disease
Meaning: When a solution causes more problems than the original issue
Make ends meet
Meaning: To have enough money to pay for basic needs
Take for granted
Meaning: To not appreciate something because it's always available
Hold accountable
Meaning: To make someone responsible for their actions
Once and for all
Meaning: Completely and finally
The price of freedom
Meaning: What must be sacrificed to maintain liberty
Eternal vigilance
Meaning: Constant watchfulness and attention
Give up
Meaning: To surrender or abandon something
Push back
Meaning: To resist or oppose forcefully
Slide down
Meaning: To gradually move toward a worse condition
Speak up
Meaning: To express opinions freely and boldly
Delicate balancing act
Meaning: A careful management of competing interests
Fundamental tension
Meaning: Basic conflict between opposing forces
Civilized society
Meaning: An organized community with established laws and customs
Collective security
Meaning: Safety achieved through group cooperation
Primary obligation
Meaning: The most important duty or responsibility
Authoritarian regime
Meaning: A government with concentrated power and limited freedoms
Social contract theory
Meaning: The idea that people agree to form societies for mutual benefit
Natural liberty
Meaning: Freedom that exists in the absence of government
Collective action
Meaning: Coordinated effort by a group of people
Rigid standards
Meaning: Inflexible rules or requirements
Human progress
Meaning: Advancement of civilization and knowledge
State of nature
Meaning: Condition of humanity before organized society
Constitutional frameworks
Meaning: Legal structures that define government powers and limits
Fundamental rights
Meaning: Basic freedoms that cannot be taken away
Independent judiciaries
Meaning: Court systems free from political influence
Unprecedented tools
Meaning: Resources or methods never available before
Information control
Meaning: Management of what people know or learn
Sophisticated surveillance
Meaning: Advanced monitoring and observation systems
Emergency situations
Meaning: Crisis conditions requiring immediate action
Difficult trade-offs
Meaning: Hard choices between competing values
Flexible institutions
Meaning: Organizations that can adapt to change
Mature political culture
Meaning: A society with well-developed democratic practices
Public discourse
Meaning: Open discussion of important issues
Populist leaders
Meaning: Politicians who appeal to ordinary people's concerns
Informed citizenry
Meaning: A population that is knowledgeable about important issues
Democratic processes
Meaning: Methods of making decisions through public participation
Historical context
Meaning: The circumstances and background of past events
External threats
Meaning: Dangers coming from outside sources
Internal forces
Meaning: Influences operating within a system
Personal autonomy
Meaning: Individual self-governance and freedom
Conundrum /kəˈnʌndrəm/ (US & UK)
Meaning: A difficult problem or puzzle
Interconnected /ˌɪntərkəˈnektəd/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Connected with each other
Obligation /ˌɑblɪˈɡeɪʃən/ (US), /ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃən/ (UK)
Meaning: A duty or commitment
Authoritarian /əˌθɔrəˈteriən/ (US), /ɔːˌθɒrɪˈteəriən/ (UK)
Meaning: Demanding strict obedience to authority
Safeguard /ˈseɪfˌɡɑrd/ (US), /ˈseɪfˌɡɑːd/ (UK)
Meaning: To protect from harm or damage
Voluntarily /ˈvɑlənˌterəli/ (US), /ˈvɒləntrəli/ (UK)
Meaning: Done by choice, not forced
Framework /ˈfreɪmˌwɜrk/ (US & UK)
Meaning: A basic structure or system
Totalitarianism /toʊˌtæləˈteriəˌnɪzəm/ (US), /təʊˌtælɪˈteəriənɪzəm/ (UK)
Meaning: A system of government with absolute control
Invariably /ɪnˈveriəbli/ (US), /ɪnˈveəriəbli/ (UK)
Meaning: Always; without exception
Stifle /ˈstaɪfəl/ (US & UK)
Meaning: To prevent or suppress
Stagnant /ˈstæɡnənt/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Not moving or developing
Vulnerable /ˈvʌlnərəbəl/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Exposed to danger or attack
Ensue /ɪnˈsu/ (US & UK)
Meaning: To happen as a result
Fragment /ˈfræɡmənt/ (US & UK)
Meaning: To break into pieces
Judiciary /dʒuˈdɪʃiˌeri/ (US), /dʒuːˈdɪʃəri/ (UK)
Meaning: The system of courts and judges
Vigilance /ˈvɪdʒələns/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Careful attention to potential dangers
Dissidents /ˈdɪsədənts/ (US & UK)
Meaning: People who oppose official policies
Mobilize /ˈmoʊbəˌlaɪz/ (US), /ˈməʊbəlaɪz/ (UK)
Meaning: To organize for action
Surveillance /sərˈveɪləns/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Close observation or monitoring
Unimaginable /ˌʌnɪˈmædʒənəbəl/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Impossible to think of or believe
Exemplified /ɪɡˈzempləˌfaɪd/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Served as a typical example
Pandemic /pænˈdemɪk/ (US & UK)
Meaning: A disease affecting many countries
Mandates /ˈmænˌdeɪts/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Official orders or requirements
Contemporary /kənˈtempəˌreri/ (US), /kənˈtempərəri/ (UK)
Meaning: Belonging to the present time
Complacency /kəmˈpleɪsənsi/ (US & UK)
Meaning: Self-satisfaction that prevents effort
Demagoguery /ˈdeməˌɡɑɡəri/ (US), /ˈdeməɡɒɡəri/ (UK)
Meaning: Political activity seeking support by appealing to popular prejudices
Prosperity /prɑˈsperəti/ (US), /prɒˈsperəti/ (UK)
Meaning: Success and wealth
Erosion /ɪˈroʊʒən/ (US), /ɪˈrəʊʒən/ (UK)
Meaning: Gradual destruction or weakening
Autonomy /ɔˈtɑnəmi/ (US), /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ (UK)
Meaning: Self-government or independence
- The balance between government control and individual freedoms: Where should the line be drawn?
- Examples from history where social order clashed with personal liberty.
- How modern societies manage the tension between security and privacy.
- The role of laws in protecting both social order and individual rights.
- Personal views on how much liberty should be sacrificed for the sake of social order.