“Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.”
Image credits: John Mathew Smith 2001,”From Wash D.C. Longworth building October 4, 1994. Mandela’s first trip to the United States.”,CC BY-SA 2.0,Nelson Mandela 1994 – Nelson Mandela – Wikipedia
- July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013
- Born in South Africa
- Politician, lawyer
- The first black president of South Africa, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for abolishing apartheid and building a democratic South Africa where multiple ethnic groups coexist.
Quote
“Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.”
Explanation
This quote by Nelson Mandela emphasizes the importance of freedom in the process of negotiation and decision-making. For Mandela, the act of negotiation is inherently tied to the autonomy of individuals or parties involved. A free man, in this context, is someone who has the ability to make decisions independently, without external constraints or coercion. A prisoner, on the other hand, is someone whose freedom has been taken away, and thus cannot enter into agreements that are made with full agency and choice. This statement can be seen both literally and metaphorically—literally, in terms of the oppressed peoples and the need for political freedom to negotiate effectively, and metaphorically, in terms of the importance of self-determination in any negotiation process.
Historically, this quote was likely inspired by Mandela’s own experiences as a prisoner for nearly three decades. During his time in prison, he was denied the ability to directly engage in the political process and to shape the course of South African history. While imprisoned, Mandela and others in the ANC believed that they could not enter into meaningful negotiations with the apartheid government until they were freed and treated as equals in the eyes of the state. This idea also extended to the broader struggle for liberation, where the fight for freedom was not just about physical release but about the right to self-determination in all aspects of life, including political negotiations.
In modern terms, this quote speaks to broader discussions on power dynamics and equality in negotiations. Whether in international diplomacy, labor relations, or civil rights movements, the quote serves as a reminder that true negotiation can only occur when all parties are free to act without duress. It speaks to the injustice of situations where one party, whether an individual or a nation, is in a position of extreme disadvantage or oppression, making it impossible for them to negotiate on equal terms. Mandela’s words continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about the importance of freedom and equality as prerequisites for meaningful dialogue and lasting agreements.
