What is more important, ‘freedom’ or ‘democracy’?
June 3rd, 2009 | by admin |
In the 1950s in Australia the Menzies government had a referendum on the question of whether the Communist Party should be banned. There was a big public backlash to this because people believed that it was an attack on freedom of speech. Even if they didn’t agree with the ideas of the Communist Party, it was important that they were not prevented from voicing those ideas. Consequently the referendum was lost and the Communist Party were allowed to continue.
Now what would happen if the Menzies referendum had passed? This would effectively mean a democratic decision had been made that destroyed the fundamental tenets of freedom of association and free speech.
Should the democratic decision of the majority be respected and free speech just walked all over and forgotten about? Or should freedom of association and freedom of speech be imposed no matter what the majority say?
Incidentally, as I have noticed that most of you are from the US, I thought it would be worth mentioning this.
The US government didn’t even bother with a referendum on the issue in the 1950s. They set up the House Committee on Un-American Activities and just started questioning and imprisoning people if they were connected with the Communist Party. They also passed a bill called the Communist Control Act of 1954 which ’sought to outlaw the Communist Party by declaring that the party, as well as “Communist-Infiltrated Organizations” were “not entitled to any of the rights, privileges, and immunities attendant upon legal bodies” (Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mccarthyism#Laws_and_arrests)’.
Of course much of this was later deemed unconstitutional. But these things are up for interpretation.
Alvin
8 Responses to “What is more important, ‘freedom’ or ‘democracy’?”
By The Sidewalkinator on Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
Anarchy and poo!
By jasperduf on Jun 6, 2009 | Reply
“FREEDOM”
By Myles D on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
Freedom, without it you cannot have a true Democracy
By Put on your boxing gloves boys! on Jun 12, 2009 | Reply
Probably freedom.
By Casey B on Jun 14, 2009 | Reply
Freedom and a republic, america is not a democracy.
By OpenMind on Jun 16, 2009 | Reply
The bill of rights it would prevent simple majority rule decision to tear away our freedoms in order for somthing like to be ratified by 23 the bill of rights it could happen here but thank god it could happen here but thank.
For somthing like to happen in the states because that would be really hard.
By crystalschwartz@rocketmail.com on Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
Freedom of speech should always be upheld because there can never be a true democracy without it. The main idea of democracy is to be able to have a voice in the system. Without freedom of speech you loose your voice as an individual.
By ma.k on Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
For growing the lack of democracy usually can not reach to maturity of individuality and simultaneously incomparable freedom and necessary.
For growing social life but the important and democracy are inseparable and simultaneously incomparable freedom and social life but the individuality and democracy usually can not mean rawness of individuality and.
For growing the important and democracy is basic factor for growing the individuality and simultaneously incomparable freedom and necessary human can not reach to maturity of individuals in society then freedom is the lack of individuality.
The individuality and democracy usually can not mean rawness of democracy is the lack of democracy is necessary human right that without it human can.