For those who are interested, try reading Book VIII of The Republic by Plato. You'll be picking up in media res but i think you'll be able to get the gist of his critique of democracy. That's pretty pragmatic, especially from the guy who found certain rights to be self-evident and risked his life for independence. Gumby has some nice late night thoughts on freedom. Sounds like it.
Freedom is internal, it has to do with the liberties of the populace.
Philosophically they are more complicated. Freedom of choice is the ability to do whatever you want. Freedom of attitude is Socratic, dealing with the freedom to rationally choose how to face the circumstances of your life. Freedom of self-determination is an existentialist idea concerning the ability to remake one's self or identity, to be whomever you want to be. Philosophical independence is not widely discussed, but from what i've read independence is the ability to truly make your own decisions.