Freedom of Expression as Self-Restraint
Author | : Matthew H. Kramer |
Publisher | : Oxford University Press |
Total Pages | : 368 |
Release | : 2021-03-15 |
ISBN-10 | : 9780192639226 |
ISBN-13 | : 0192639226 |
Rating | : 4/5 (26 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: Freedom of Expression as Self-Restraint provides a novel justificatory foundation for the principle of freedom of expression. As the book argues, such a principle is absolute in that it is exceptionless; it imposes general duties that are binding always and everywere on every system of governance. In addition to injecting a new level of philosophical sophistication into the debates over freedom of expression, the book ties the principle to an ideal of governmental self-restraint, and it shows how that ideal connects to the paramount moral responsibility of every system of governance: the responsibility to bring about the political, social, and economic conditions under which every member of society can be warranted in harbouring an ample sense of self-respect. In short, compliance by a system of governance with the principle of freedom of expression is integral to the fulfilment of that paramount responsibility.