Without such socialisation, freedom is a fetish — an empty, formal right which can not be exercised.13 (religion-online.org)
Since most property was far from streams and there was little rain, officials then gave settlers formal rights to take water out of rivers and move it across dry land where it could be used to mine minerals or turn rocky fields into farms. (scientificamerican.com)
Formal rights also have to be exercisable in a way which protects vulnerable workers who may not have the protection of a trade union. (newlawjournal.co.uk)