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How do you propose to achieve freedom of speech, in order to have a democracy on top? What prior-to-democracy system would lead toward that free speech? Or do you believe free speech exists by itself in nature, prior to any system?



Correct me if I'm wrong, you seem to be saying that free speech can't exist without democracy.

Firstly, free speech is not a synonym for democracy, we can clearly see there are democracies with differing levels of free speech, some with very low levels.

Secondly, most of the other systems of political organisation are antithetical to free speech. That does not mean, however, that democracy is a necessary pre-requisite for free speech. I can imagine other systems - as have others - but that they do not exist is either because they cannot or because the conditions for them to hold are not there yet.

Finally

> Or do you believe free speech exists by itself in nature, prior to any system?

I'm not a student and this is not a student debating society, please make your points in a way that an adult and professional would expect and can respect. I don't know you, it's far too early for you to take the piss. Try and get into a conversation first, at the very least.


> Correct me if I'm wrong, you seem to be saying that free speech can't exist without democracy.

No, parent is saying freedom of speech is a consequence of democracy, not that one wouldn't exist without the other or that they are synonymous.

One can, as you have, construct and imagine all kinds of political systems where one exists without the other (e.g. Greece 400 BC, benevolent dictator etc). This leads to rather contrived arguments that miss the point at hand: Freedom of speech has almost always been a consequence of modern democracy.

Your flippant response in the last paragraph makes me believe you aren't convinced in your argumentation either.


> No, parent is saying freedom of speech is a consequence of democracy

Then you'll need to explain these questions:

> What prior-to-democracy system would lead toward that free speech? Or do you believe free speech exists by itself in nature, prior to any system?

Without them I might agree. With them, the inference is impossible to ignore.

> Freedom of speech has almost always been a consequence of modern democracy.

No one was saying anything else. It's starting to look like you aren't going to shine a light on what I've missed but what you've missed.

> Your flippant response in the last paragraph makes me believe you aren't convinced in your argumentation either.

Flippancy is a manifestation of doubt, now there's a claim I've not heard before. The world is indeed full of wonder and mystery!




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