4 - The Empirical Measure of Autonomy Freedom

Summary

INTRODUCTION

We have laid down a theoretical measure of choice grounded on the Millian notion of individuality (autonomy) together with a fully fledged set of justifications for upholding it. In this chapter, we want to move from the theoretical measure to its empirical counterpart. If successful, we would have a powerful tool for conducting an enquiry into the effects of autonomy freedom in society. A tool firmly grounded on an established literature and on an important liberal tradition.

But how to construct such an empirical measure? We cannot rely on objective data since they are not available at the individual level of analysis that our axiomatic framework requires. We have then to search for information at the subjective level; surveys are the only source of this information. Our opening considerations must then start with the survey question that we shall use to gauge the extent of autonomy freedom enjoyed by individuals. More specifically, we point out that the A173 – How much freedom of choice and control – question in the World Value Survey (WVS) database captures the degree of autonomy freedom people enjoy. As we will show, the question gives an indication of how much freedom of choice and control people perceive over the way their lives unfold. We shall argue at length that the information captured by the question proposed by the WVS is consistent with the theoretical measure developed in Chapter 3.