You Can't Always Say What You Want: The Paradox of Free Speech

The book explores the historical context of laws regulating speech and the challenges of free speech in the modern world, highlighting the paradox of powerful speakers weaponizing their rights to silence those less-powerful.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The right to freedom of thought and expression has always been met with resistance from those who seek to regulate and censor it. This raises a crucial question: to what extent does free speech actually threaten the protection of speech? This book delves into the current demands for speech legislation and contextualizes them within the historical framework, drawing upon captivating examples from the past two centuries. Throughout history, the freedom to speak has expanded, accompanied by technological advancements that have shaped the ways in which we communicate. At the same time, our understanding of speech protection has been tested and challenged.

We find ourselves in a paradoxical situation today: powerful individuals and groups use their rights to silence those who oppose them, undermining the very essence of free speech. By examining the historical roots of speech regulations, we gain a deeper understanding of the challenges we face. This knowledge empowers us to confront these threats and defend the fundamental right to freedom of expression.

Weight: 576g
Dimension: 235 x 162 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009198905