The First Amendment, freedom of speech : its constitutional history and the contemporary debate
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references.

Burning the American flag to protest an "unjust" war, wearing a T-shirt displaying obscenities, blocking access to an abortion clinic, displaying works of art that are condemned as "offensive", offering huge corporate donations to political campaigns, shouting hateful or denigerating statements, producing pornography - are these protected forms of free speech or actions that society has the power to prohibit? What did the founders of our democracy have in mind when they crafted that portion of the First Amendment guaranteeing freedom of speech, and how has our understanding of this cherished freedom evolved over the years? At a time when America is trying to encourage democracy abroad and preserve it at home against a backdrop of intense national security concerns, understanding the origins and intricacies of freedom of speech is more crucial than ever. Whether you're interested in examining how law impacts society, appreciating the social and political consequences of major legal decisions, or simply hoping to better understand the basics of American self-government, the themes, values, conflicts, and proposed resolutions surrounding our coveted freedom of speech offer a springboard for further vital discussion.

As a First Amendment expert, editor Vikram David Amar has organized this rich collection of some of the most important classic and cutting-edge thinking on the constitutional freedom of speech into three major sections: historical foundations, theoretical paradigms, and selected doctrinal battlegrounds. Included in this volume are discussions of the regulation of speech regarding public property, hate crimes and speech codes, compelled subsidized speech, regulation of political monetary donations and expenditures, and the role of institutionalized media. (Publisher).