Freeing speech : the constitutional war over national security / John Denvir.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Denvir, John, 1942-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Constitution--1st Amendment.

United States.

Freedom of speech--United States.

Freedom of speech.

War and emergency legislation--United States.

War and emergency legislation.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (201 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : New York University Press, c2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The United States is in the midst of a heated conversation over how the Constitution impacts national security. In a traditional reading of the document, America uses military force only after a full and informed national debate. However, modern presidents have had unparalleled access to the media as well as control over the information most relevant to these debates, which jeopardizes the abilities of a democracy’s citizens to fully participate in the discussion. In Freeing Speech, John Denvir targets this issue of presidential dominance and proposes an ambitious solution: a First Amendment that makes sure the voices of opposition are heard.Denvir argues that the First Amendment’s goal is to protect the entire structure of democratic debate, even including activities ancillary to the dissemination of speech itself. Assessing the right of political association, the use of public streets and parks for political demonstrations, the press’ ability to comment on public issues, and presidential speech on national security, Denvir examines why this democratic model of free speech is essential at all times, but especially during the War on Terror.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Constitutional Wars

1. The National Security Presidency

2. The Manufacture of Consent

3. The Rise and Fall of the First Amendment

4. Democracy in the Dark

5. Free Speech Activists

6. The Supreme Court

Afterword: A Human Rights Constitution

Appendix: Selected Provisions of the U.S. Constitution

Notes

Bibliography

Index

About the Author

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-174) and index.

ISBN:

9780814785348

0814785344

9780814720868

0814720862

OCLC:

784884485