Hate Speech and Democratic Citizenship

Abstract

Most modern democracies punish hate speech. Less freedom for some, they claim, guarantees greater freedom for others. This book rejects that approach, arguing that democracies have better ways of combating violence and discrimination against vulnerable groups without having to censor speakers. Critiquing dominant free speech theories, the book explains that free expression must be safeguarded not just as an individual right, but as an essential attribute of democratic citizenship. The book challenges contemporary state regulation of public discourse by promoting a stronger theory of what democracy is and what it demands. Examining US, European and international approaches, this book offers a new vision of free speech within Western democracies.

Keywords: civil rights, democracy, freedom of expression, hate speech, human rights, legal theory

JEL Classification: K10, K14, K19, I28