We believe we live in a 'free country': but do we? To what extent have over-legislation, bad law, the surveillance society and a declining interest in participatory democracy eroded and reduced our freedom? How should we define 'freedom' in the modern age?

This highly readable and thought-provoking book explores these issues and more, examining the concept of freedom in relation to human rights, privacy, equality, morality, money, religion and development. In assessing the state of our freedom today, Tanburn draws from a wide range of thinkers—from Aristotle to Zuckerberg—and cogently makes the case for a 'modern Magna Carta' as an essential ingredient in the maintenance of our liberty in the years to come.

John Tanburn studied law at Cambridge and excelled in jurisprudence. As a teacher he created law departments in the sixth forms of two schools, and taught law to what was then O-level with good exam results. As neither an academic nor a lawyer, Tanburn is well placed to present freedom issues to people without a legal background. He is now retired and lives near Cambridge.