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Free Speech

A Global History from Socrates to Social Media
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Free Speech by Jacob Mchangama, the author explores the global evolution of free speech, tracing its historical significance and the challenges it faces in modern societies. The book examines how various cultures and political systems wrestle with the balance between freedom of expression and societal restrictions, emphasising the enduring importance of free speech in fostering democracy and progress. Mchangama presents a rich tapestry of historical and contemporary case studies, providing a compelling narrative about the resilience and vulnerability of this fundamental right.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're fascinated by the complex history and evolving nature of free expression, this book may captivate you. It offers insightful analysis into how different societies have handled the right to speak freely and its impact on democracy and progress. The author's deep dive into philosophy and psychology makes it a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the crossroads of legal history and human rights.

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The first global history of free speech shows we need to understand the past to address the challenges of the future.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
A global history of free speech, from the ancient world to today.

Hailed as the "first freedom," free speech is the bedrock of democracy. But it is a challenging principle, subject to erosion in times of upheaval. Today, in democracies and authoritarian states around the world, it is on the retreat.

In Free Speech, Jacob Mchangama traces the riveting legal, political, and cultural history of this idea. Through captivating stories of free speech's many defenders - from the ancient Athenian orator Demosthenes and the ninth-century freethinker al-Razi, to Mary Wollstonecraft, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and modern-day digital activists - Mchangama demonstrates how the free exchange of ideas underlies all intellectual achievement and has enabled the advancement of both freedom and equality worldwide. Yet the desire to restrict speech is also a constant, and he explores how even its champions can be led down this path when the rise of new and contrarian voices challenge power and privilege of all kinds.

Meticulously researched, deeply humane and provocative, Free Speech challenges us all to recognise how much we have gained from this principle - and how much we stand to lose without it.

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Free Speech by Jacob Mchangama is widely praised as a comprehensive, engaging exploration of the history and significance of free speech. Reviewers commend its detailed, global perspective, revealing free speech as both a historically constant struggle and a crucial pillar of democracy. Mchangama is noted for his erudition and engaging writing, offering a balanced argument for the enduring necessity of free speech, despite modern challenges. His work is celebrated for its insightful analysis that appeals to both academic and general readers.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529382211

Publisher: John Murray Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 11 May 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Basic Books

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 38.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 360g

Pages: 528

About the Author

Jacob Mchangama is a lawyer, human rights advocate and former external lecturer of Human Rights at the University of Copenhagen. He is the founder and director of Justitia, a Copenhagen-based think tank focusing on human rights, freedom of speech, and the rule of law. His writings have appeared in a wide range of international outlets including The Economist, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, Politico, The Wall Street Journal Europe, El Pais, France24, Deutsche Welle, and Al Jazeera. This book builds on his podcast Clear and Present Danger: A History of Free Speech, which has reached an audience of over 220,000 unique listeners in more than 120 countries across the world.

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  • Free Speech
    A global history of free speech, from the ancient world to today. Hailed as the "first freedom," free speech is the bedrock of democracy. But it is a challenging principle, subject to erosion in times of upheaval. Today, in democracies and authoritarian states around the world, it is on the retreat. In Free Speech, Jacob Mchangama traces the riveting legal,...
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