Freeing Speech : : The Constitutional War over National Security / / John Denvir.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter New York University Press Backlist eBook-Package 2000-2013
• VerfasserIn: Denvir, John,
• Place / Publishing House: New York, NY : : New York University Press, , [2010]; ©2010
• Year of Publication: 2010
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource

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.

Table of 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