Karla K. Gower

Gower studies the degree of freedom of speech accorded individuals in relationship to society's concept of the relationship between the individual, society as a whole, and the state.

By comparing the United States and Canada, Gower suggests that a democracy's concept of the individual, the state, and their relationship affects the tolerance granted political speech. Individuals have greater freedom to criticize the government when there is faith in the individual and fear of the state. In countries where society is emphasized and there is less distrust of the state, individuals must defer to society when their speech threatens the social order. Political thought alone is not the key to understanding freedom of expression law. Instead, broader, deeper themes running through political thought affect tolerance for political speech.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Progressive Era: 1900-1920
3. Disillusionment with Democracy: 1921-1945
4. The Consensus Years: 1946-1962
5. Change versus Continuity: 1963-1974
6. How Do We Want to Live?: 1975-1999
7. Summary and Conclusions

References
Appendix
Index