Communication And Libertarianism

Description

The first book to approach communication from the methodological positions of rationalism and praxeology. Redefines the concept of communication, as well as the object, the scope and the role of communication studies. Explores the relationship between libertarianism and communication using the speech act theory. Argues that the key postulates of libertarianism - property rights and consent - are logically dependent on communication. Proposes a normative theory of communication based on libertarian political philosophy. "This is an outstanding contribution to both libertarian political philosophy and communication theory. It is far and away the most comprehensive work on communication issues in libertarian theory ever published. The author has integrated successfully the libertarian insights of Mises, Rothbard, Block, Kinsella and others with the philosophy of language as developed by Austin, Searle and Grice. He has done so in a unique and unprecedented way. The book would appeal to students and scholars interested in libertarian theory and more generally, to philosophers and political scientists interested in high-level scholarship.” - David Gordon, libertarian philosopher and intellectual historian, Ludwig von Mises Institute. Preface Declaration of Conflicting Interests Funding Third Party Materials Contents Part IMethodological Foundations 1 Communication Art vs Communication Science Introduction The Problem with Positivist Research in Communication Studies The Problem with Interpretivist Research in Communication Science The Problem with the Critical Theory Approach Ontological Inconsistency of the Mixed Paradigms Approach References 2 Epistemological and Methodological Alternatives: Rationalism and Praxeology in Communication Studies Introduction The Incommensurability of Empiricism and Constructionism Methodological Similarities between Empiricism and Constructivism Rationalism as the Epistemological Foundation of Communication Studies Praxeological Methodology for Communication Studies References 3 Communication: The Importance of Terminology and the Danger of Metaphors Introduction Purpose as a Necessary Element of Communicative Action Intention as a Necessary Element of Communicative Action Knowledge as a Necessary Element of Communicative Action Communication as a Social Action References 4 Speech Acts: Conventions and Intentions Introduction Doing Things with Words Speech Act Theory and Praxeology External and Internal Felicity Conditions Normative Status of Unintentional and Unintended Speech Acts References Part IICommunication Arguments in Defence of Libertarianism 5 Communication Ethics: Consent as the Foundation of Non-aggression Introduction Praxeology and Subjectivism On the Objective Statements in Ethics The Fallacy of an Outside Observer Position The Ethics of Consent The Role of Communication in Telling Good from Bad References 6 The Role of Property Rights in the Ethics of Consent Introduction Identifying the Object of Action The Relationship with Objects: Direct Control Control of External Objects Non-aggression Principle as a Foundation of Legal Order References 7 Communication in Adopting Moral Norms Introduction Descriptive and Prescriptive Ethical Statements Developing Moral Norms The Role of Communication in Adopting Moral Norms Conforming to a Moral Norm References 8 Libertarianism and Communication Introduction Communication as Peaceful Non-aggressive Interaction Communication Science—The General Study of Normative Consequences of Speech Acts Communication Art—The Study of Individual Actions and Conventions The Art and Science of Communication and Human Cooperation References Part III Speech that Determines Rights 9 Communication Theory of Property Rights Introduction Lockean Homesteading by Mixing One’s Labour Are Objective Physical Links with Objects Necessary to Establish Property Rights? Speech Acts Theory and Social Status of Property Rights References 10 Communicating Consent Introduction Validity of Consent Can Hypothetical Consent Be Valid? Different Types of Legitimate Consent Communication as a Necessary Prerequisite for Consensual Action References 11 Threats of the Use of Force: “Mere Speech” or Rights Violation? Introduction Why Punish Threats if Words Cannot Hurt? Threats as a Shorthand of Violence Threats as Performatives: Analysing Felicity Conditions The Problem of Proportional Punishment of Threats References 12 Communication Theory of Contracts Introduction Speech Acts Contracts: Promises or Consent? Title-Transfer Theory The Existence of Property in Question Condition References Part IV Property Rights in Information and Media 13 Communication Freedom and Property Rights Introduction The Concept of Rights Revisited Communication Freedom and Property Rights Property Rights and Media Censorship Communication Freedom as Free Choice References 14 Property Rights in Media Production Resources: Media Concentration, Monopolisation and Subsidies Introduction Media Concentration—Popular Accusations Government Control Over Resources Other Forms of Government Control that Limit Free Market Competition Subsidies as Another Disruption of Free Market Competition that Distorts the Media Industry References 15 Property Rights vs Intellectual Property: Copyright as Restriction of Communication Freedom Introduction Libertarian Intellectual Property Debate Scarcity Criticism and Contradiction with Property Rights Copyright and Free Speech Intellectual Property as an Artificial Monopoly References 16 Communication Freedom and Privacy Introduction Intrusion into Personal Space Disturbance by Unsolicited Communication Public Spaces and Unwanted Messages Remaining Anonymous and Compulsory Information Disclosure References Part V Acquiring Valid Consent 17 Fraudulent Communication in Advertising and Business Promotion Introduction Fraudulent Advertising as an Exercise in Free Speech Fraudulent Advertising as a Type of Theft The Role of Communication in Human Interaction Understanding the Meanings References 18 Manipulation of Consent Introduction Advertising and Manipulation: Deterministic View of Advertising Puffery and Persuasion Free Market Argument and the Role of Word-of-Mouth Prohibitionism and Censorship in Advertising References 19 Pornography: Accusations in Subordination, Silencing, Indecency and Bad Taste Introduction Pornography as an Act of Subordination Pornography as Silencing Protection of Children from Indecency Pornography, Obscenity and Bad Taste References 20 Blackmail Introduction The Paradox of Blackmail Blackmail vs Extortion The “Second Paradox of Blackmail” Utilitarian Benefits of Legalising Blackmail References Part VI Free Speech and Libertarian Theory of Property Rights 21 Fake News and Speech Acts Which Tell Lies Introduction Why Fake News Is a Problem Truths, Lies and Violations of Rights Harm and Damage from Fake News: Who Is the Victim? Reputation Mechanisms to Evaluate News as Constative Utterances References 22 Defamation, Libel and Slander Introduction Property Rights in Reputation Police, Court and False Accusation Alternative Solutions Protection of Ideas from Defamation References 23 Incitement to Aggression Introduction Incitement as Free Speech and the Chain of Causation Incitement within the Praxeological Framework of Means and Ends Dual Criterion and Proximity of the Relationship Incitement as a Speech Act References 24 Hate Speech Introduction Criticism of Hate Speech—Environmental Concern Defence of Hate Speech—Pragmatic Argumentation Laws and Punishment If We Punish—Then Whom Do We Punish and for What? References