ABSTRACT
Freedom of speech is the most cherished value in American society. The investigation into the numerous restrictions on freedom in modern American life has yielded three somewhat distinct groupings: rules that attempt to protect people from the actions of others, rules that attempt to protect people from themselves, and rules that attempt to protect society from itself. In contemporary America, freedom of religion is restricted so as to not harm people who make up a religious minority and to protect the well-being of people who are liable to fall victim to the unrestrained exertion of the religious feelings of others. Issues related to security or freedom of speech mostly fall in the federal domain, while problems such as noise are almost exclusively under the jurisdiction of local bodies. The chapter illustrates several cases that show the importance of imposing limitations on human freedoms. It also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
