"Can someone within that society walk into the town square and say what they want without fear of being punished for his or her views? If so, then that society is a free society. If not, it is a fear society"

In this quote, Natan Sharansky is posing a question about the level of liberty within a society. He suggests that the true step of a totally free society is whether or not individuals have the ability to openly reveal their viewpoints without worry of penalty. If a person can easily voice their thoughts and beliefs in the town square without repercussions, then that society can be considered complimentary. Nevertheless, if there is an environment of fear and individuals are afraid to speak their minds, then that society can be categorized as a "fear society." Sharansky's words highlight the value of freedom of speech and expression in determining the level of freedom within a society.