Dance of Religion and Politics in American Culture - Book Report/Review Example

THESIS STATEMENT The main objective of the discussion henceforth is to analyze the importance of the contextual contents that are presented through a book in relation to positive as well as negative aspects. In order to attain the objective, the book “Democracy and the Problem of Free Speech” has been selected which was written by Cass R Sunstein and was published in the year 1995. INTRODUCTION Sunstein emphasizes the subject of democracy and the problem of free speech in the book titled “Democracy and the Problem of Free Speech”. The book highlights the relationship between media, newspapers, television, radio and political culture in order to delineate the notion of democracy and the problem associated with free speech promises. According to Sunstein, the media is owned and controlled largely by privately owned companies, which has increased the level of publicity of intentional democracy among citizens of the United States (Sunstein 2-10). On the contrary, Sunstein identifies that media is accountable for protecting the political ideology of free speech in the US. As stated by Sunstein, the US government should allow greater power to the citizens in order to promote the opportunity of free speech (2-10). The book also suggests that freedom of speech and expression is the concept that provides an opportunity to express oneself freely in front of the society. Correspondingly, freedom can be expressed through word of mouth or contrarily, it can be expressed through literature, art and medium of communication among others (Sunstein 2-10). DISCUSSION The book titled “Democracy and the Problem of Free Speech” provides a fundamental understanding about democracy and problems that are associated with free speech in the US. In the modern era, democracy and right of free speech have emerged as the most essential factors for citizens of modern civilization. The term ‘democracy’, as defined in the book, refers to a co-operating system of the US government, which is generally established by the people of entire civilization or by eligible members of a state or nation. Democracy can also be defined as a typical system through which, a state or nation chooses its leaders or representatives so that different operations conducted within the US are managed as well as controlled on the basis of desired standards. As observed by Sunstein, several countries have emphasized towards democracy and freedom of speech in order to develop social deliverance. In this regard, social movements are developed with the aim of promoting political campaign through media (Medhurst 195-212). Similarly, several nations have been observed to be involved in political campaigns in order to choose better leaders and accordingly, emphasized towards the free speech. It has been identified that the promotion of political campaign with the assistance of advertisement, celebrity endorsement and debate among others assists in enhanced functioning of democracy (DeLuca 9-21; Sunstein 2-10; You Tube, “350 political campaigns”). Notably, Sunstein also reveals that the government controls social movements to promote both political debate and political equality (2-10). Apart from this, Sunstein also ascertains that several countries and nations have been reliant on democratic self-governance in order to enhance the modern political conditions. For instance, the principle of free speech is practiced in the political system of the US in relation to political campaigns with the intention of ensuring effective functioning of democracy. The US constitution emphasized the circulation of democracy for the people of the nation so that better political leaders represent the US states. Simultaneously, democracy has helped to accomplish improved political condition in the US (Sunstein 2-10; You Tube, “350 political campaigns”). Sunstein further observes that the US political movement has argued for democratic and republican governance. During the year 1960, the republican government ruled most of the American states. In the present 21st century, American citizens have realized the importance of democratic governance with the provision of free speech as compared to republican governance, which has influenced discrepancy among the citizens regarding the right of free speech (Sunstein 2-10; You Tube, “350 social movements”). In the book, Sunstein also argues that American citizens demand for liberty under law, in case of freedom of speech. Correspondingly, it is noteworthy that the US government has understood the importance of preventing freedom of speech in order to avoid certain indiscipline and violence activities such as perjury, attempted bribes, threats, unlicensed medical and legal advice and false advertising among others. Therefore, in the First Amendment, the US government has concentrated on political deliberation regarding free speech. The US government with the provision of First Amendment has tried to protect misleading activities, suppress right of free speech and political speech. Consequently, Sunstein also reveals the perceived notion amid American citizens that the government cannot ban the right of political speech and free speech. As an effect, most of the citizens have chosen democratic governance in order to ensure the freedom of political speech and commercial speech so that democracy is practiced effectively within the country (DeLuca 9-21; Sunstein 2-10; You Tube, “350 social movements”). EVALUATION OF THE DISCUSSION The right of democracy and free speech has influenced American politics and American political situation in a significant way. In this context, it has been observed that freedom of speech has enabled to establish a new political environment in the US. However, it has become one of the greatest problems of modern civilization wherein freedom of speech derived by the media often leads to different misleading messages thereby deviating the consumers intentionally in the wrong direction (DeLuca 9-21). On the contrary, Sunstein asserts that the freedom of speech has affected the social movements of the US citizens. As a result, consequent effects have been witnessed with regard to resistance movement, reformist movement, and restorative movement in America that have further polarized the American political situation between democratic and republican governance (Sunstein 2-10). Thus, it is essential to adopt certain protective measures in order to mitigate the issue of inappropriate promotion of misleading political and non-political information through the media (Sunstein 2-10; You Tube “Faith in America - Mitt Romney”). EXPLANATION The review of the book i.e. “Democracy and the Problem of Free Speech” has been an invaluable learning experience. The value of the book is manifold owing to the fact that it has prudently explained the conundrum related to providing free speech to different segments of society. Moreover, the value of the book can be judged from the fact that it has critically highlighted the importance freedom of speech for certain segment society which has been substantiated in the US by the First Amendment. However, judicious use of the notion of free speech is desirable to ensure that a democratic society. These presented ideas might be prudently used in the final paper to argue and present a reasoned discussion. CONCLUSION American political situation has been observed to change in a massive way since the last five decades. People have realized the importance of freedom of speech as a key constituent of democracy. The sector of media has often been scrutinized with regard to the proper execution of the notion of free speech. Besides, the essentiality of democratic governance has increased manifold. At the same time, the American government has tried to protect the people from misleading activities by the use of freedom speech by media by bringing about certain pertinent regulations. Consequently, discrepancies have been raised among the citizens, which have polarized the American political situation. Thus, the right of free speech and democracy has influenced political movements and social movements of the US. In this respect, it can be argued that the First Amendment should be reassessed in order to enact free speech in a better-protected manner. Contextually, the author implies that rational as well as flexible system should be developed in the US political system so that political and non-political messages are communicated with better protective measures. Works Cited DeLuca, Kevin Michael. “Unruly Arguments: The Body Rhetoric of Earth First! Act Up, and Queer Nation.” Argumentation and Advocacy 36 (1999): 9-21. Print. Medhurst, Martin J. “Mitt Romney, “Faith In America,” And The Dance Of Religion And Politics In American Culture Mitt Romney, “Faith In America,” And The Dance Of Religion And Politics In American Culture.” Rhetoric & Public Affairs 12.2 (2009): 195–212. Print. Sunstein, Cass R. Democracy and the Problem of Free Speech. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995. Print. “Faith in America - Mitt Romney.” YouTube. 2011. Web. 09 Jul. 2014. “350 political campaigns.” YouTube. 2014. Web. 09 Jul. 2014. “350 social movements.” YouTube. 2014. Web. 09 Jul. 2014. Read More