Traditionally, freedom of speech has been justified as necessary for democratic government and as an essential individual right. This study by Dr Harry Melkonian departs from traditional legal and philosophical theories and breaks new ground by demonstrating that well-established and contemporary social theory explains the essential role of speech in highly differentiated modern societies.
Election Watch 202430 January 2013
Freedom of speech and society: a social approach to freedom of expression
Traditionally, freedom of speech has been justified as necessary for democratic government and as an essential individual right. This study by Dr Harry Melkonian departs from traditional legal and philosophical theories and breaks new ground by demonstrating that well-established and contemporary social theory explains the essential role of speech in highly differentiated modern societies.30 January 2013