Actually I find this to be a difficult question to answer for two primary reasons.
On the brink of total annihilation, what constitutes “more freedom”? It would depend upon the exact timing and current situation more than anything. So it’s a bit hard to tell. And what is freedom in such a case anyway?
And there is the issue of actual present affects versus theoretical possibilities. If people are simply too insane, nothing really works and again, how do you define freedom for them?
The drive behind ALL living impetus is the Perception of Hope and Threat, PHT. Hedonism is the concern of pain and pleasure, which is PHT void of forethought. So again, given that people are basically insane, incapable of much forethought, hedonism is what is going to guide their behavior, like it or not.
What happens, and has happened on many occasions, is that in the midst of hedonism, a superior strategist plays hedonistic passions against each other such as to form a monarchy, known as Satanism. In such a world, there is constant competition and struggle for life. The system requires the constant presence of PHT on an obvious and conflicting level. There are wars, disease, and strife mixed with great wealth, health, and glory. So to what degree are people “free”? And which people?
But an even greater strategist can be born who also turns the hedonistic passions against each other, but toward a different end goal. That goal would be the instilling of “sight”, “sanity”, or “rationality” as an end product. After sanity is restored, the concerning portion of PHT isn’t the mindless part reflected by hedonism, but the mindful part wherein passions are tempered with forethought and care. That forms a monotheism and a harmony of passions is the result which definitely leads to far more freedom than Satanism could ever achieve.
It is really a question of currently realistic, but insane disharmony or the possibility of future, unrevealed sane harmony.
…not an easy question for me to answer.