What is a potential consequence of prioritizing national security too heavily?

Prioritizing national security heavily can lead to infringement of civil liberties because the focus on security often results in measures that may limit individual rights and freedoms. Governments may justify surveillance, restrictions on freedom of expression, and curtailment of assembly rights under the pretense of protecting citizens from threats. This can manifest in laws and practices that target specific groups, monitor communications without warrants, or suppress dissenting voices under the guise of preventing terrorism or maintaining order.

In contrast, enhancing global relations, protecting all forms of speech, and ensuring legal equality for all speech types are generally associated with promoting civil liberties and democratic values, which can be compromised when national security is overly emphasized. Therefore, the prioritization of national security can lead to a delicate balance where civil liberties are undermined in the name of safety, making the correct choice a clear reflection of a significant concern in the interaction between national security and individual rights.