Creating Freedom: Power, Control and the Fight for Our Future - Raoul Martinez (Book)

Title: Creating Freedom: Power, Control and the Fight for Our Future

Author: Raoul Martinez

Date Published: 2016

Publisher: Canongate Books

Category: Non-fiction / Social Critique / Philosophy

Creating Freedom is a profound and radical manifesto that challenges conventional notions of freedom, responsibility, and justice. Raoul Martinez argues that our identities, choices, and behaviors are deeply influenced by factors beyond our control, such as genetics, upbringing, and societal structures. He critiques the illusion of personal responsibility that underpins systems like the criminal justice system and neoliberal capitalism, suggesting that these frameworks often perpetuate inequality and injustice. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, economics, and political theory, Martinez presents a compelling case for reimagining freedom as a collective and transformative force rather than an individualistic ideal.

The book is divided into three parts:

1. The Lottery of Birth – Explores how our circumstances of birth shape our identities and opportunities, challenging the myth of the self-made individual.
2. The Illusion of Consent – Examines how societal systems manipulate consent and maintain control, often under the guise of freedom.
3. The Fight for Our Future – Offers a vision for genuine freedom through collective action, empathy, and systemic change.

Critics have lauded the book for its intellectual rigor and accessibility. The Guardian called it “exceptional” and “this year’s essential text for thinking radicals,” while the Financial Times described it as “epic in scope” and a “manifesto to enlighten citizens stuck in an illusion of democracy.” Martinez’s work is both a critique of current societal structures and a call to action for a more just and compassionate world.