Question

. Why does a country steeped in democratic ideals not view protection against harm as a fundamental right? How can one exercise freedom of religion or speech without a sense of bodily security?

Answer 1

As most of the laws and rights were framed during a time when there was little concern for the rights and equality of women and minorities. These laws promoted the interest of the dominant, whether, it be the dominant race or the dominant gender. Hence, the democratic ideals did not view protection against harm as a fundamental right.

The freedom of religion or speech guarantees freedom of expression of one's thought, right to profess one's religion and practice it, and even propogate it. But it doesn't not protect bodily security, as it is not considered as that important than these aspects of the speech and religion. And moreover, bodily security is concerned with the security of minorities as women, transgenders are the minor racial ethinic groups, whose voices are always neglected and ignored by the policy makers.