Political Culture, Flag Use and Freedom of Speech

Bibliographic Data

ID10381822
AuthorsKatharine Gelber (0000-0002-0239-3552, The University of Queensland, corresponding author)
Year2011
Volume60
Issue1
Pages163-179
Publication date2011-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePolitical Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0032-3217 • E-ISSN: 1467-9248
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1111/j.1467-9248.2011.00893.x
OpenAlexW2137962092
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited16

Flag use generates passionate debates that fundamentally turn on questions of the appropriate extent and limits of freedom of speech. The national flag is a natural and forceful medium with which to express one's views about a nation. Yet its use in this way also generates controversy and emotionally charged reactions. The purpose of this article is to assess attitudes in political culture towards flag use in the context of wider freedom of speech considerations. By analysing events in Australia, the United States and New Zealand, the article argues that public responses to flag use as a medium of political expression demonstrate a flawed understanding of the meaning, import and effect of freedom of speech and its limits. This has significant implications, exposing the extent of fragility of freedom of speech on controversial issues, and its persistence despite differences between jurisdictions in the manner and extent of free speech protection

Context (archaeology · Democracy · Epistemology · Flag (linear algebra · Free speech · Law and economics · Meaning (existential · Political freedom · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Australian History and Society · Commonwealth, Australian Politics and Federalism · History · Law · Military History and Strategy · Philosophy

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