Gregory Bergeron
The scales of freedom and liberty
“Regardless of my conclusions, I hope I can encourage other
Americans to consider what their civil liberties mean to them
and their country— to spark American thought.”
After I completed my junior year, I had the intention of attending graduate school for philosophy after graduation. Doubtful of the future, I wanted to spend the summer figuring out how to make myself a better candidate for graduate school, and earn some money. UROP gave me that opportunity. It provided a new academic challenge: one different from the typical undergraduate classroom experience, but similar to what a graduate student would face. With the advice of my mentor, Professor Nick Smith, I concluded that no greater academic challenge exists than to accomplish one’s own original research.
Seeking to combine my two majors, political science and philosophy, I decided to explore how Americans have (or have not) balanced the delicate scales of freedom and security during the war on terror. In matters of United States national security, a balance is required to protect citizens without unreasonably limiting their rights to be free from governmental interference. Currently, many legal scholars share concerns over governmental curtailments on certain civil liberties in the vein of national security. My project pays particular attention to the key components of a parallel legal system for “enemy combatants” – those American citizens and non-citizens alleged to be connected to the war on terror. Enemy combatants are detained in military brigs without their rights of due process. They are not, for example, charged with a crime, given a hearing to defend themselves, or provided access to counsel.
Rather than rely only on legal arguments to explore the conflict between freedom and security, I took a philosophical approach. Why are due process rights morally important to all citizens and non-citizens? Is there any situation in which curtailing these rights can be a justified? What dangers do citizens and non-citizens face when such curtailments are allowed? These questions are difficult to answer because of the emotional responses Americans have to terrorism and 9/11. But, perhaps, asking and answering these questions as objectively as possible is what it means to be an American. Regardless of my conclusions, I hope I can encourage other Americans to consider what their civil liberties mean to them and their country— to spark American thought.
The UROP experience has proved invaluable, academically as well as personally. I was able to apply my skills and knowledge to a philosophical study of civil rights and liberties. I discovered the small nuances and difficulties of research on my own, and taught myself new skills to account for those difficulties. This combination of new skills and knowledge will undoubtedly apply to my next academic endeavor, whatever it may be. Personally, I believe I have learned as much about myself and how I operate, as I did about the government.
And, I decided to stay in the world of academia a bit longer.
--Gregory Bergeron '04