No Free Speech for Fascists: Exploring 'No Platform' in History, Law and Politics

No Free Speech for Fascists examines the decision of anti-fascist protesters to demand that fascists be denied access to public platforms, discussing the historical, legal, and political implications of this demand. It originated in 1970s Britain as a response to a left-wing tradition of support for free speech and was intended to be applied narrowly to right-wing politics that threatened everyone else. The book contrasts this with the idea of opposition to hate speech, which is now embodied in European and British anti-discrimination laws. It argues for a no-platform approach that takes into account the electronic channels on which much speech now takes place and recognizes the fascist element within the broader category of far-right speech.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 174 pages
\n Publication date: 25 June 2021
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
\n

No Free Speech for Fascists delves into the compelling decision of anti-fascist protesters to advocate for the revocation of fascists' public speaking privileges, examining this issue from historical, legal, and political perspectives. It sheds light on the origins of the demand to no platform fascists in 1970s Britain, initially as a rare exception to the left-wing tradition of supporting free speech. The book elucidates how the concept of no platform was designed to be applied exclusively to right-wing politics that posed a threat to everyone else. It juxtaposes this with the emergence of the opposing idea of opposition to hate speech, which is now enshrined in European and British anti-discrimination laws. While both no platform and hate speech reject the American First Amendment tradition of free speech, they differ in their approaches. No Free Speech for Fascists goes beyond a mere list of specific political targets and encompasses a deeper skepticism about the role of the state. The book advocates for a no-platform policy that encompasses the electronic channels on which a significant portion of speech occurs today. It identifies instances where fascist elements can be found within the broader realm of far-right speech. This book holds immense interest for activists, scholars, and researchers engaged in the study of political history, law, free speech, the far right, and anti-fascism. It offers a philosophical framework of anti-fascism tailored for the social media age.

\n Weight: 278g\n
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 15 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780367720629\n \n