The Impossible Trinity of Security, Freedom and Privacy

In Economics, the Impossible Trinity of free capital movement, an independent monetary policy and a stable foreign exchange rate is well known. There is a similar, though less explored trilemma in modern governance operating with more basic concepts: that of security, freedom and privacy. The aim of the study is to clarify this latter trilemma, as well as to offer a theoretical long-term solution. After expounding the general nature of trilemmas and the three main concepts, the impossible trinity of security, freedom and privacy is examined by taking three extreme scenarios. The scenarios are based on partially hypothetical situations in developed countries, where encryption debates or terrorist attacks took place recently. The study then turns to the solution of the situation. In order to understand the origin of the problem, it takes a step back to the dilemma of security and freedom. The fourth important concept the study operates with is transparency. The study suggests increasing transparency. A mathematical projection of the scenarios is introduced, and the suggested solution is derived in an equation as well.