2006-07-04 15:11:02 · 7 answers · asked by tralanthia 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
a democracy can be easily led and manipulated if you have a misinformed or uninformed electorate. If you can control the information by silencing dissent, then you can get elected and stay elected despite that fact you are wrong or evil.
WHO WILL KNOW if we do not have free speech to be informed. people need to be able to communicate freely or a democracy becomes a bad form of government.
that is why it was made the first amendment before many states would sign on to the USA
2006-07-04 15:18:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Freedom of speech allows the people to make an informed decision (too bad it doesn't prompt them to inform themselves) and to influence (or try to influence) government policy.
A great example is all the protest in the US about the war in Iraq. The protestors want the current policy changed and speaking out is their way of doing that. They can also vote when it's election time. Much better than guns.
2006-07-04 22:17:51 · answer #2 · answered by rb42redsuns 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is to ensure the opwn exchange if ideas and critisisms, even if it is against the government. many time a minority view will become a majority view. This maximizes the open flow of an economy and helps progress in the sciences. Imagine if you could not state an idea for fear of being excomminicated by the church or for imprisonment by the powers that rule.
2006-07-04 22:18:43 · answer #3 · answered by THINKING 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
democracy works because people can speak up about what they don't think is working and the best idea can win out... and those with the best ideas can win... if you take away the freedom of speech... then it's pointless to have a democracy, since all the ideas will have to be the same, and if the ideas aren't the same, then you would have to take the dissenting voice to jail...
2006-07-04 22:18:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hearing the answers are something else, though they aren't wrong.
Why is it when you disagree with a neocon they tell you "to love it or leave it"? Like you can't have an opinion that disagrees with theirs. That's one of the reasons I call them Fascist's!
I didn't see any of them in Vietnam!!!
2006-07-04 22:30:28 · answer #5 · answered by cantcu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because if people aren't able to speak their mind, their vote isn't likely to express it either.
2006-07-04 22:15:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because so many have fought and died in the past 230 years to defend it
2006-07-04 22:22:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋