Freedom mattersa theoretical-practical approach to the measurement of freedom

Resumen

Freedom matters is a strong statement on one of the most important concepts behindthe political scene in modern times. This research features two significantcontributions: it shows the hegemonic theoretical conceptualization of freedom insocial sciences and unveils those theories as the ideological foundations of modernglobal freedom indices. Using mixed methodologies proper of the social sciences, Ideveloped a discourse analysis in its qualitative aspect of the most influential texts inthe field to continue with the data analysis of secondary data provided by essentialfreedom indices from around the globe. It links both methods into a matrix of analysisthat provides valuable information about ideological and political alignments of theinstitutions behind the production of each index. The research also unveils themethodology currently used for measuring freedom (although not exclusively on thissubject) and how this is detrimental to the plural and multicultural understanding of theglobal and local reality. With its unique theoretical-practical components, this researchhas significant implications for social policy. It will soon provide a more unifiedunderstanding of security, self-preference, and opportunity as components of a moreintegrating knowledge of freedom.