Free Speech and the State : An Unprincipled Approach

David van Mill

ISBN 10: 3319516345 / ISBN 13: 9783319516349

Editore: Springer, Berlin, Springer International Publishing, Palgrave Macmillan, 2017

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Druck auf Anfrage Neuware - Printed after ordering - This book addresses the question: 'What should be the appropriate limits to free speech ' The author claims that it is the state, rather than abstract principles, that must provide the answer. The book defends a version of Hobbesian absolutism and rejects the dominant liberal idea that there is a right (human or civil) setting the boundaries of free speech. This liberal view can be known as the 'principled defence of free speech', in which speech is established as a constitutional principle that has priority over the state. The author instead offers an 'unprincipled approach to free speech', suggesting that the boundaries of speech must necessarily be set by the state, which in liberal democracies means through social and political contestation. The final chapter applies the argument to the topic of hate speech and argues that it is appropriate to limit such speech when it causes harm and offense. The book will be of use to students and scholars across political theory, political science, sociology, philosophy and law.

Codice articolo 9783319516349

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: Free Speech and the State : An Unprincipled Approach
• Editore: Springer, Berlin, Springer International Publishing, Palgrave Macmillan
• Data di pubblicazione: 2017
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 3319516345
• ISBN 13: 9783319516349
• Rilegatura: Buch
• Condizione: Neu
• Dimensioni: 217 L x 148 A x 16 P (millimetri) 217 millimetri di larghezza per 148 millimetri di altezza per 16 millimetri di profondità
• Peso: 270 grammi

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

This book addresses the question: “What should be the appropriate limits to free speech?” The author claims that it is the state, rather than abstract principles, that must provide the answer. The book defends a version of Hobbesian absolutism and rejects the dominant liberal idea that there is a right (human or civil) setting the boundaries of free speech. This liberal view can be known as the “principled defence of free speech”, in which speech is established as a constitutional principle that has priority over the state. The author instead offers an “unprincipled approach to free speech”, suggesting that the boundaries of speech must necessarily be set by the state, which in liberal democracies means through social and political contestation. The final chapter applies the argument to the topic of hate speech and argues that it is appropriate to limit such speech when it causes harm and offense. The book will be of use to students and scholars across political theory, political science, sociology, philosophy and law. 

Informazioni sull'autore

David van Mill is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Western Australia.