Hate speech, pornography, and the radical attack on free speech doctrine

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Bibliographic Information

Hate speech, pornography, and the radical attack on free speech doctrine

James Weinstein

Westview Press, 1999

  • : hardcover
  • : pbk

Available at  / 17 libraries

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Includes bibliographical references and index

Description and Table of Contents

Volume

: hardcover ISBN 9780813327082

Description

Explores whether American free speech doctrine systematically discriminates against women and minorities.. Does American free speech doctrine discriminate against women and minorities? In Hate Speech, Pornography, and the Radical Attack on Free Speech Doctrine, James Weinstein carefully examines the charge that in interpreting the First Amendment as protecting hate speech and pornography while allowing myriad other exceptions to free speech principle, American courts have privileged the interests of the rich and powerful over the interests of women and people of color. The author concludes that while free speech doctrine is not in any deep sense as neutral as some of its apologists believe, the claim that free speech decisions and principles systematically discriminate against women and minorities does not withstand scrutiny. He shows that this claim of discrimination is based upon a profound but widely shared misunderstanding of the actual workings of free speech doctrine. }Does American free speech doctrine discriminate against women and minorities? In Hate Speech, Pornography, and the Radical Attack on Free Speech Doctrine, James Weinstein carefully examines the charge that in interpreting the First Amendment as protecting hate speech and pornography while allowing myriad other exceptions to free speech, American courts have privileged the interests of the rich and powerful over the interests of women and people of color. The author concludes that while free speech doctrine is not in any deep sense as neutral as some of its apologists believe, the claim that free speech decisions and principles systematically discriminate against women and minorities does not withstand scrutiny. He shows that this claim of discrimination is based upon a profound but widely shared misunderstanding of the actual workings of free speech doctrine.In order to expose this misunderstanding, the first section of the book thoroughly explores the basic cases and principles upon which free speech doctrine is built. The second section demonstrates that the relationship between free speech and equality is far more complex than either radical critics or many liberal defenders of doctrine suppose. The third section considers the cost and benefits of modifying free speech doctrine to allow for the suppression of hate speech and pornography. After reviewing the experience of hate speech and pornography in other democracies, Weinstein concludes that while such a modification would not lead straight to totalitarianism as alarmist defenders of current doctrine contend, it would nonetheless likely inhibit legitimate debate and artistic expression. Also contrary to dogmatic defenders of current doctrine, the author concludes that although the scientific evidence that pornography causes violence to women is not nearly as conclusive as radical feminists assert, this evidence is nonetheless cause for concern.While offering a scholarly analysis of the radical critique of free speech doctrine, this book has even larger ambition: to provide nonlawyers with the background to participate knowledgeably in the continuing debate about the role of free speech in a democratic society. }

Table of Contents

Introduction * Modern Free Speech Doctrine Theory and History An Overview of Modern Free Speech Doctrine Modern Doctrine in Action: Its Application To Hate Speech And Pornography * The Radical Attack Does Free Speech Doctrine Discriminate Against Women and Minorities? The Complex Relationship Between Free Speech and Equality * Should Doctrine Be Modified to Permit Broad Hate Speech and Pornography Bans? The Benefits of Banning Hate Speech and Pornography The Costs of Regulation In Search of a Cabinable Principle Weighing the Benefits and Costs Conclusion
Volume

: pbk ISBN 9780813327099

Description

This book, devoted to acquainting reader with the basics of American free speech doctrine, presents a description of the radical attack on modern free speech doctrine. It discusses whether banning this speech would be a remedy for the harms hate speech and pornography are said to cause.

Table of Contents

Introduction -- Modern Free Speech Doctrine -- Theory and History -- An Overview of Modern Free Speech Doctrine -- Modern Doctrine in Action -- The Radical Attack -- Does Free Speech Doctrine Discriminate Against Women and Minorities? -- The Complex Relationship Between Free Speech and Equality -- Should Doctrine Be Modified to Permit Broad Hate Speech and Pornography Bans? -- The Benefits of Banning Hate Speech and Pornography -- The Costs of Regulation -- In Search of a Confinable Principle -- Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Hate Speech and Pornography Bans -- Conclusion -- Empirical Studies on the Effects of Pornography

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