Free Speech: The Basics

Although it’s a fundamental tenet of liberal thought and democratic freedom, free speech is nevertheless under attack from many quarters, including the threat of imprisonment, restrictions on the right to protest, and “cancel culture”.

Where do we draw the line over free speech? Is there is a line? And what exactly is free speech? In this critical, balanced, and much-needed introduction to free speech, Robert Mark Simpson examines these questions and more. Carefully weighing up the arguments on all sides, he tackles the following issues:

• What is the classical liberal view of free speech?
• Is free speech oppressive?
• Is free speech Eurocentric?
• Should technological changes lead us to revise our view of free speech?
• Does political polarisation make free speech unworkable in practice?

Free Speech: The Basics is an ideal starting point for anyone seeking an accessible and engaging introduction to this important and controversial topic. It will be valuable reading for students of philosophy, politics, law, media and communications studies, as well as anyone seeking an informative introduction to the topic.