Why freedom cannot be given

Abstract

In the Dutch welfare state elderly care is problematic. Aging of the population takes place and remaining able to take care of this aging population is a complex task for the government. From 2010 onwards the idea of legalizing medical help by dying when this person reckon his or her life as completed, developed in a bill. In this thesis I will analyze this bill from the perspective of Foucault. I will first explain Foucault’s perspective on modern Western society. From there I will argue that the intention of the bill, ensuring the right of self-determination, is an ideology and technology of power. Seen this way, if this bill becomes law it will govern us in three ways. From here, the bill does not only gives us more individual freedom like the proponents argue. It also infringes on a different kind of freedom. The positivity of resistance against governmental power, whereby we possibly end up in a state of domination. I will end with pointing out possible dangers of the bill and some recommendations for the politicians working on the the bill as well as all individuals to whom the bill may apply.