Plural societies need maximal free speech, not speech limits

Evidence

I want to argue the opposite: that it is precisely because we do live in a plural society that we need the fullest extension possible of free speech. In a plural society, it is both inevitable and, often, important that people offend the sensibilities of others. … It is inevitable because where different beliefs are deeply held, clashes are unavoidable. Almost by definition such clashes express what it is to live in a diverse society; they should be openly resolved rather than suppressed in the name of ‘respect’ or ‘tolerance’. — Runnymede Trust (ed. Farah Elahi & Omar Khan), Islamophobia, 653

Categorization

• XREF: Directly counters Tariq Modood’s multiculturalist argument (quoted a paragraph earlier) that plural societies must limit mutual criticism of fundamental beliefs — a key rival position the reader should map. — connects to: Bigoted speech should be countered morally and politically, not legally. — A. Hussain, N. Meer, Framing Muslim Integration, 671; Adding free speech barely changes a tacit bargaining game’s character — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 249; Political legitimacy requires free speech, association, and representation — Diego Gambetta, Trust - Making and Breaking Cooperative…, 1248 (+3 more)

Related

• Pluralism is often invoked to justify policing speech about other groups’ beliefs. (similarity 0.85)
• Bigoted speech should be countered morally and politically, not legally. (similarity 0.82)
• Free speech serves the powerless while censorship protects the powerful (similarity 0.79)
• Runnymede balanced free speech with rules against distorted media coverage of Muslims (similarity 0.79)
• Criticism of religious ideas should never be restricted as Islamophobic (similarity 0.79)
• Western limits on speech extend to Holocaust denial but not to anti-Islamic expression (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Adding free speech barely changes a tacit bargaining game’s character #contradicts (0.85) — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 249
• Political legitimacy requires free speech, association, and representation #corroborates (0.80) — Diego Gambetta, Trust - Making and Breaking Cooperative…, 1248
• Runnymede balanced free speech with rules against distorted media coverage of Muslims #contradicts (0.80) — Runnymede Trust, Islamophobia, 27
• Western limits on speech extend to Holocaust denial but not to anti-Islamic expression #qualifies (0.72) — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 67