Rights vs. Freedom — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 21, 2023
Rights are legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement; while freedom is the power to act, speak, or think without hindrance or restraint.
Difference Between Rights and Freedom
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Rights often refer to legal, social, or ethical entitlements individuals possess, based on societal or governmental norms. Freedom, on the other hand, is a state or condition of being free from coercion, confinement, or any other form of limitation.
While rights are generally specific and codified, such as the right to vote or the right to education, freedom is broader and can be interpreted as the absence of constraints, be it freedom of speech or freedom of movement.
Rights can sometimes act as safeguards to ensure one's freedom. For instance, the right to privacy can protect an individual's freedom from unwanted surveillance. Conversely, freedom can provide the space for rights to exist; freedom of a society can lead to the establishment of various rights.
The violation of rights usually has legal implications and can lead to sanctions, penalties, or other forms of retribution. Infringing on someone's freedom, while also consequential, might be more abstract and harder to quantify.
It's essential to understand that while all rights are related to freedoms, not all freedoms are necessarily rights. Some freedoms might be privileges or specific permissions, rather than inherent rights.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Legal, social, or ethical entitlements
Power to act, speak, or think without hindrance or restraint
Basis
Based on societal or governmental norms
Absence of constraints
Example
Right to vote, right to education
Freedom of speech, freedom of movement
Violation Implications
Usually has legal implications
More abstract and might not always have legal implications
Relationship
Acts as safeguards for freedoms
Provides the space for rights to exist
Compare with Definitions
Rights
The power or privilege to which one is justly entitled
They fought for their rights to equal pay.
Freedom
The power to act, speak, or think without hindrance
She exercised her freedom of speech.
Rights
An option to purchase something
She holds the right to buy the property next door.
Freedom
Absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice
With financial stability, she felt a newfound freedom.
Rights
Rights are legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement; that is, rights are the fundamental normative rules about what is allowed of people or owed to people according to some legal system, social convention, or ethical theory. Rights are of essential importance in such disciplines as law and ethics, especially theories of justice and deontology.
Freedom
Freedom, generally, is having the ability to act or change without constraint. Something is "free" if it can change easily and is not constrained in its present state.
Rights
Conforming with or conformable to justice, law, or morality
Do the right thing and confess.
Freedom
The condition of not being in prison or captivity
Gave the prisoners their freedom.
Rights
In accordance with fact, reason, or truth; correct
The right answer.
Freedom
The condition of being free of restraints, especially the ability to act without control or interference by another or by circumstance
In retirement they finally got the freedom to travel.
Rights
Fitting, proper, or appropriate
It is not right to leave the party without saying goodbye.
Freedom
The condition of not being controlled by another nation or political power; political independence.
Rights
Most favorable, desirable, or convenient
The right time to act.
Freedom
The condition of not being subject to a despotic or oppressive power; civil liberty.
Rights
In or into a satisfactory state or condition
Put things right.
Freedom
The condition of not being constrained or restricted in a specific aspect of life by a government or other power
Freedom of assembly.
Rights
In good mental or physical health or order.
Freedom
The condition of not being a slave.
Rights
Intended to be worn or positioned facing outward or toward an observer
The right side of the dress.
Made sure that the right side of the fabric was visible.
Freedom
The condition of not being affected or restricted by a given circumstance or condition
Freedom from want.
Rights
Of, belonging to, located on, or being the side of the body to the south when the subject is facing east.
Freedom
The condition of not being bound by established conventions or rules
The new style of painting gave artists new freedoms.
Rights
Of, relating to, directed toward, or located on the right side.
Freedom
The capacity to act by choice rather than by determination, as from fate or a deity; free will
We have the freedom to do as we please all afternoon.
Rights
Located on the right side of a person facing downstream
The right bank of a river.
Freedom
The right to unrestricted use; full access
Was given the freedom of their research facilities.
Rights
Often Right Of or belonging to the political or intellectual right.
Freedom
Ease or facility of movement
Loose sports clothing, giving the wearer freedom.
Rights
Formed by or in reference to a line or plane that is perpendicular to another line or plane.
Freedom
(Archaic) Boldness in behavior; lack of modesty or reserve.
Rights
Having the axis perpendicular to the base
Right cone.
Freedom
(uncountable) The state of being free, of not being imprisoned or enslaved.
Having recently been released from prison, he didn't know what to do with his newfound freedom.
Rights
Having a right angle
A right triangle.
Freedom
(countable) The lack of a specific constraint, or of constraints in general; a state of being free, unconstrained.
Freedom of speech is a basic democratic value.
People in our city enjoy many freedoms.
Every child has a right to freedom from fear and freedom from want.
Rights
Straight; uncurved; direct
A right line.
Freedom
The right or privilege of unrestricted use or access
Freedom of a city
Rights
(Archaic) Not spurious; genuine.
Freedom
Frankness; openness; unreservedness.
Rights
That which is just, moral, or proper.
Freedom
Improper familiarity; violation of the rules of decorum.
Rights
The direction or position on the right side.
Freedom
The state of being free; exemption from the power and control of another; liberty; independence.
Made captive, yet deserving freedom more.
Rights
The right side.
Freedom
Privileges; franchises; immunities.
Your charter and your caty's freedom.
Rights
The right hand.
Freedom
Exemption from necessity, in choise and action; as, the freedom of the will.
Rights
A turn in the direction of the right hand or side.
Freedom
Ease; facility; as, he speaks or acts with freedom.
Rights
The people and groups who advocate the adoption of conservative or reactionary measures, especially in government and politics. Also called right wing.
Freedom
Frankness; openness; unreservedness.
I emboldened spake and freedom used.
Rights
The opinion of those advocating such measures.
Freedom
Improper familiarity; violation of the rules of decorum; license.
Rights
(Sports) A blow delivered by a boxer's right hand.
Freedom
Generosity; liberality.
Rights
(Baseball) Right field.
Freedom
The condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
Rights
A just or legal claim or title.
Freedom
Immunity from an obligation or duty
Rights
Something that is due to a person or governmental body by law, tradition, or nature.
Freedom
The state of not being imprisoned or enslaved
The prisoners longed for their freedom.
Rights
Something, especially humane treatment, claimed to be due to animals by moral principle.
Freedom
Absence of subjection to foreign domination
The nation celebrated its day of freedom.
Rights
An existing stockholder's legally protected claim to purchase additional shares in a corporation ahead of those who are not currently stockholders, especially at a cost lower than market value.
Freedom
The power of self-determination
He had the freedom to choose his path in life.
Rights
The negotiable paper on which such an entitlement is indicated.
Rights
Toward or on the right.
Rights
In a straight line; directly
Went right to school.
Rights
In the proper or desired manner; well
The jacket doesn't fit right.
Rights
Exactly; just
The accident happened right over there.
Rights
Immediately
Called me right after dinner.
Rights
Completely; quite
The icy wind blew right through me.
Rights
According to law, morality, or justice.
Rights
Accurately; correctly
Answered the question right.
Rights
Chiefly Southern US Considerably; very
They have a right nice place.
Rights
Used as an intensive
Kept right on going.
Rights
Used in titles
The Right Reverend Jane Smith.
Rights
To put in or restore to an upright or proper position
They righted their boat.
Rights
To put in order or set right; correct
Measures designed to right generations of unfair labor practices.
Rights
To make reparation or amends for; redress
Right a wrong.
Rights
To regain an upright or proper position.
Rights
Plural of right
Rights
A moral or legal entitlement to have or do something
Voting is a fundamental right in democracies.
Rights
Something to which one is justly entitled
Everyone has the right to a fair trial.
Rights
An action or decision that is morally or socially correct
Helping those in need was the right thing to do.
Common Curiosities
Can a society have freedom without rights?
A society can have freedom without codified rights, but rights help safeguard and define those freedoms.
Are rights universal?
While some argue for universal human rights, the recognition and enforcement of rights vary across societies.
What is "freedom of expression"?
It's the freedom to speak, write, or express oneself without undue restraint.
Who grants rights?
Rights are often recognized and enforced by governments, but they can also be based on societal norms.
How is freedom restricted?
Freedom can be restricted by laws, societal norms, or other external constraints.
What's the primary distinction between rights and freedom?
Rights are entitlements or privileges granted by society or law, while freedom is the absence of constraint on action or thought.
Are rights absolute?
Typically, no. Rights often come with responsibilities and can be limited under certain conditions.
Does freedom mean doing anything one wishes?
No, freedom might be limited by laws, ethical norms, or others' rights.
Can one's freedom infringe on another's rights?
Yes, it's possible, hence the need for laws and norms to ensure a balance.
Can rights be taken away?
Yes, rights can be revoked or limited by governments or societal changes.
Can freedoms conflict with each other?
Yes, one person's freedom might sometimes infringe upon another's, requiring balance.
Is there a hierarchy to rights or freedoms?
Some legal systems prioritize certain rights over others, but it's a topic of ongoing debate.
Does freedom mean lack of responsibility?
No, with freedom often comes responsibility to respect others' rights and societal norms.
Why are rights important?
Rights ensure equitable treatment, protect freedoms, and provide a basis for justice.
Why do people fight for their rights?
People fight for rights to ensure fair treatment, justice, and to protect their freedoms.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
