Description
What Is Free Speech? provides a comprehensive historical examination of how free speech emerged as a concept and became enshrined in modern democracies. Dabhoiwala traces the idea’s development from its revolutionary origins through contemporary debates, showing how free speech has always been contested, dangerous, and subject to competing interpretations. The book explores how different societies and eras have defined and limited speech, revealing that absolute free speech has never truly existed. Through historical examples and analysis, Dabhoiwala demonstrates that free speech is not a natural right but a hard-won political achievement constantly requiring defense and negotiation. She examines the tensions between free speech and other values—security, equality, dignity—that persist today. This timely work provides essential context for understanding contemporary free speech debates, offering readers historical perspective on why this ideal remains so contentious and important to democratic societies.
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