International Comparative Approaches to Free Speech and Open Inquiry (FSOI)

Description

This book explores controversies surrounding free speech and open inquiry (FSOI) in various regions of the Anglophone world. The authors argue that the past decade has seen a noticeable erosion of FSOI across the globe, aided and abetted by university clerisies and state apparatuses. These groups’ policing of language and pandering to cancel culture, the authors argue, have narrowed the Overton window to the point of reinvigorating the push for blasphemy law within liberal democracies themselves and impeding certain avenues scientific research. While most books on the subject discuss the American constitutional context of the First Amendment, this book considers free speech in the wider context of other Anglo countries. It also includes scholars from a variety of disciplines whose approaches will not only be ideologically distinct, but demonstrate a diversity of disciplinary approaches and concerns. Foreword: The Free Speech Slow Motion Train Wreck Acknowledgements Contents List of Contributors List of Figures 1 Introduction Importance of Free Speech and Open Inquiry Argument from Truth Argument from Democracy Argument from the Individual Argument from Community Argument from Change and Stability Organization of the Volume Bibliography Part I Constitutional Foundations and  Institutional Protections 2 The Relationship Between Expressive Rights and Equality Expressive Rights as a Weapon to Advance Partisan Objectives The Historical Connection Between Expressive Rights and Equality The Deeper Connection Between Expressive Rights and Equality Progressive Censorship is Wrong-Headed Conclusion Sources 3 Free Speech and Open Enquiry in the UK The Value of Free Speech “Nothing to see here” The Law on Free Speech in the UK Free Expression in Universities Freedom of Enquiry in UK Universities Hate Crime and “non-crime hate incidents” Conclusion References 4 Free Speech in Australia: Protecting Speech Without Explicit Free Speech Rights The Legal Landscape The Erosion of Free Speech in Australia The Call for Expansive Free Speech Rights in Public Discourse Theoretical Justifications for Free Speech References 5 Free Speech and Open Inquiry in Canada Three Enumerated Grounds Regulated Speech Political Speech Public Protest Academic Freedom Conclusion Bibliography 6 Free Speech in the Shadow of a Party-State: Hong Kong and Its Public Service Broadcaster National Security and Freedoms in Hong Kong “One Country, Two Systems” and National Security Hong Kong: Living in the Shadow of a Party-State RTHK: From Government Mouthpiece to Professional Journalism Editorial Integrity Without Guarantee Spelling Out the Red Lines Free Speech’s Prospects in HKSAR? Cited References Part II Contemporary Issues 7 Diseasing Speech in Britain The Diseasing of Free Speech and the Targeting of Controversy Therapeutic Censorship The Therapeutic Imperative Infantilization of Public Life 8 Degradation and Revolution: A Taxonomy of Cancel Culture Cancel Culture Defined Canceling as Degradation Ceremony The Degradation of Molly Rush When Canceling Becomes a Community Free Speech Culture as the Inversion of Cancel Culture In Defense of Cancel Culture: Some Objections and Answers Conclusion: Canceling and Speaking Your Mind Bibliography 9 Legal Protections for Employee Speech: Narrower if at All Introduction The Nature of the Concern The Challenge of Effective Legislative Change Public Employees Local Statutes and Private Employment For-Cause Provisions Should We Abandon These Protections? Narrow, Not Broad Conclusion References 10 Everyday Censorship: What the Data Tell Us About the Threat to Free Speech on Campus Two Concepts of Authoritarianism Hard Authoritarianism Academic Opinion: Between Free Speech and Social Justice From Hard to Soft Authoritarianism Chilling Effects Eliminating Diversity: Producing a Political Monoculture Policy Responses References 11 Why Freedom of Expression Should Reign Supreme in University Life Wide Freedom of Expression and the Functions of the University The Influence of the Social and Political Climate The Ways in Which Expression and Inquiry Are Suppressed Why Inquiry Goes Best Under Wide Freedom of Expression How Wide Freedom of Expression Can Harm Inquiry Intellectual and Moral Autonomy 12 The Excesses of Our Successes: Challenges to Free Speech and Open Inquiry on American Campuses The Historically Revolting Behavior of College Students The Roots of Our Present Distress The Toll on Individual Psyches The Excesses of Our Successes What Can We Do? References Index