Irony of Free Speech

"A slim volume offering large arguments for an activist government that protects and also promotes free speech...Fiss demonstrates how three specific issues--hate speech, pornography, and campaign finance--can be examined productively if it is assumed that the government has a positive, proactive responsibility derived from both the First and Fourteenth amendments to `promote free and open debate.' Fiss argues brilliantly and concisely for `an improved sense of proportion.' The state, he admits, `can do terrible things to undermine democracy,' but it can do `some wonderful things to enhance it as well.' Arguing cogently for an enhanced `robustness of public debate,' 'The Irony of Free Speech' makes its own very robust contribution to that debate."Fiss, Owen M. is the author of 'Irony of Free Speech', published 1998 under ISBN 9780674466616 and ISBN 0674466616.