The Freedom in Tango

The freedom in tango transcends the mere liberty of isolated individuals; it is the freedom of the whole unity in a higher sense (see Pluralism vs. Monism).

In America, freedom is frequently interpreted as the sovereign right of the individual—an inherent entitlement bestowed by the Creator, encompassing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This understanding prioritizes personal autonomy and self-interest, thereby legitimizing competition as a natural and necessary force. American laws support and protect this competitive ethos, while the education system aims to enhance individuals' abilities to succeed against others. Economic structures harness competitive drive to fuel growth, often at the expense of responsible resource use, social cooperation, and equitable wealth distribution. The political landscape prioritizes partisanship that serves special interests, fostering division rather than unity, and leaving pressing social issues—such as poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, gun violence, unaffordable healthcare, failing education, and deteriorating infrastructure—unresolved for decades (see Understanding China: Philosophies That Separate Two Worlds).

This civilization, founded on self-interest, competition, predatory development, and excessive consumption, is now facing a significant crisis. On one side lies unchecked greed; on the other, the depletion of natural resources. We witness extravagant lifestyles and monumental waste contrasted with a rapidly deteriorating environment. Economic indicators such as surging GDP coexist with widening inequality, where a privileged few enjoy immense wealth while the majority struggle to get by. The philosophical foundations of this system are evidently flawed, providing little consideration for justice, fairness, coexistence, equality, cooperation, and shared prosperity. It has given rise to a tiny minority of winners and a vast population of losers (see America Is in Big Trouble).

The Declaration of Independence articulates, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, - That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”

These words merit renewed contemplation. Do we truly grasp their meaning? Is it time to reevaluate the foundational principles of our society? It seems clear that the hyper-individualistic interpretation of the Constitution has neither brought, nor likely will it bring, the safety and happiness it promised to the American populace.

When tango arrived in America, it introduced a fresh perspective that few recognized. Unlike individualism, tango perceives individuals not as isolated, self-interested beings, but as interconnected and interdependent contributors united by a shared purpose. Without other human beings, an individual alone is incomplete, no matter how important they may see themselves from their own perspective. In tango, no dancer can excel alone; success is not an individual triumph, but the result of mutual cooperation. Relationships in tango do not stem from competition, control, or power struggles; rather, they are anchored in surrender, collaboration, accommodation, and complementarity.

Resting in her partner's arms, entrusting herself to him, feeling his masculine strength, sharing his emotions, enjoying his protection, following him freely without worry, moving with him in harmony, and letting her femininity and beauty shine to attract and satisfy him—these, for the woman, bring pleasure, security, and a realization of her value as a woman. Conversely, being with her, earning her trust, relishing in her affection and allure, feeling her feminine body moving in his arms, pampering her, protecting her, and showcasing her beauty—these, for the man, bring pleasure, comfort, and a realization of his value as a man. Tango revitalizes the essence of partnership, unmarred by power, greed, or personal gain. It creates a space where every participant, regardless of background, experiences the same dignity and grace as those in nobility.

The allure of tango lies in its shared intimacy, connection, unity, and cooperation. In stark contrast to radical ideologies like individualism, feminism, neoliberalism, and power politics, tango champions values such as love, fraternity, kindness, submission, and collaboration. Although tango is a non-economic endeavor, as an act of cooperation its joy is shared. This principle has broader applications. What is not based on self-interest does not submit to the control of the invisible hand of capital and greed. We might envision a world where wealth, akin to the joy of tango, is shared fairly among all who contribute to its creation. Just as the victory of a sports team results from the cooperation of its players, so the honor is given to all team members rather than just the one who scored. Shareholding, therefore, seems to be a better way of distributing wealth than minimum wages.

How we view ourselves determines how we shape our political, economic, social, and cultural realities. Rousseau famously stated, “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” We have created our own chains, and it is up to us to unchain ourselves. Sadly, our civilization has not yet matured to this understanding, as evidenced once again by recent reports of torture and other injustices. To be a truly free people, we must first understand what freedom means. There is still a long way to go before we achieve the kind of freedom envisioned in our Constitution. I can only hope that tango may help accelerate this process (see Tango and Equality).