Blog Post #3 | Speech Theory

The eight values of free expression are the Marketplace of Ideas, Participation in Self-Government, Stable Change, Individual Self-Fulfillment, Check on Governmental Power, Promote Tolerance, Promote Innovation, and Protect Dissent. 

1) The Marketplace of Ideas promotes the idea that a published piece should not require a license or governmental approval to be published. John Milton brokered that concept in a pamphlet he published in 1644, protesting Parliament's requirement to approve and license all published books. This one is especially prevalent in the modern world today because everyone can publish or post something stating their opinion or take on a topic. 

For instance, someone could post a video on President Trump's inauguration without governmental approval or screening of the video. I believe this is a critical value because it allows people to practice their free speech without allowing the government to suppress them before they have publicly said something.

2) Participation in Self-Government is a concept where politicians and other governmental individuals need to be able to practice free speech in any form they choose. For example, the government should not be able to ban Instagram as a form of media for a politician to use to promote their ideals and beliefs. This is essential because it allows citizens to properly understand the individual they are supporting. It allows the public to understand the debate as a whole with nothing behind veils or blocked by restricted platform use. Politicians can use any form of media today to convey any message to get the public to support them, so this ideal is practiced.

3) Stable Change encourages upset and illegal citizens to practice free speech/venting because it keeps them from acting violently and allows for better moderation of groups that could threaten national security. By not suppressing citizens, they will speak their hearts and not act impulsively as much. If the government were to suppress upset citizens, there is a higher chance they would do something that can not be easily fixed. Additionally, if an upset or illegal citizen talks about the issues they are concerned about, there is a chance that they give some information regarding groups that harm the American population. Concerning angry people, this is happening because people are posting all over social media about their takes on political topics, especially since Trump has been re-elected. 

4) Individual Self-Fulfillment was brought up by C. Edwin Baker. He believed that individuals should be free to express themselves and create their identities. This idea is important to me because it reinforces the concept that America is a melting-pot country, a mix of cultures and identities. Additionally, it allows people to fully express themselves and live to be the individuals they want to be. Though this concept has its pitfalls, especially with generating some less-than-ideal personality traits in populations, then again it is better than suppression of being who you are. 

5) Check On Governmental Power is an important expression of freedom because it creates an advanced society that is accountable. If the public cannot keep the government in check then what keeps them from abusing their powers and making current issues, like poverty, worse. If the public can keep the government in check then a society can progress with a balance and serve as a model of inspiration for other countries worldwide.

6) Promote Tolerance is an interesting expression because it's not exactly something that would be encouraged outright. Promoting tolerance encourages things like hate speech because it generates tolerance and teaches individuals how to be patient and understanding. It hinges on the idea that a more tolerant society is a better society. 

I feel that the line of reasoning that a tolerant society is a better society is fair. I'm not sure if tolerating hate speech would be the way to go about it though. There are softer practices that promote understanding and forgiveness, but then again if a society can tolerate the worse practices it should encourage an advanced society.

7) Promote Innovation is the most important ideal to me. Allowing free speech encourages individualism, which leads to a creative, energized society. If free speech was suppressed, it would cause individuals to succumb to whatever is happening and not think for themselves, not express their ability to be free to create and do something original. If a society cannot be creative and original they are doomed to fail because they will not develop. An example of this could be the Soviet Union, which partially collapsed due to economic inequality and political corruption which was not being fixed.

8) Protect Dissent is a right all citizens have to disagree with a governmental body. Steve Shiffrin was a leading interpreter of the Constitution and its appeals, especially regarding the First Amendment. He believed that all citizens should have the right to dispute governmental opinion freely. This is an important ideal because it contributes to the Check On Governmental Power concept and The Marketplace of Ideas, it promotes individual thought that is not dependent on what the majority of people say.