{"id":47986,"date":"2025-08-28T15:19:57","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T15:19:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/?p=47986"},"modified":"2025-08-28T15:21:05","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T15:21:05","slug":"fara-dabhoiwala-what-is-free-speech-the-history-of-a-dangerous-idea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/?p=47986","title":{"rendered":"Fara Dabhoiwala, \u201eWhat Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea\u201c"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>A leading intellectual historian shows how free speech, once viewed as both hazardous and unnatural, was reinvented as an unalloyed good, with enormous consequences for our society today.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Every premodern society, from Sumeria to China to seventeenth\u2013century Europe, knew that bad words could destroy lives, undermine social order, and create political unrest. Given the obvious dangers of outspokenness, regulating speech and print was universally accepted as a necessary and proper activity of government. Only in the early 1700s did this old way begin to break down. In a brief span of time, the freedom to use words as one pleased was reimagined as an ideal to be held and defended in common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fara Dabhoiwala explores the surprising paths free speech has taken across the globe since its invention three hundred years ago. Though free speech has become a central democratic principle, its origins and evolution have less to do with the high-minded pursuit of liberty and truth than with the self-interest of the wealthy, the greedy, and the powerful. Free speech, as we know it, is a product of the pursuit of profit, of technological disruption, of racial and imperial hypocrisy, and of the contradictions involved in maintaining openness while suppressing falsehood. For centuries, its shape has everywhere been influenced by international, not just national, events; nowhere has it ever been equally available to women, the colonized, or those stigmatized as racially inferior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rejecting platitudes about the First Amendment and its international equivalents, and leaving no ideological position undisturbed,&nbsp;<em>What Is Free Speech?<\/em>&nbsp;is the unsettling history of an ideal as cherished as it is misunderstood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the author<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fara Dabhoiwala <\/strong>is Senior Research Scholar at Princeton University and author of&nbsp;<em>The Origins of Sex: A History of the First Sexual Revolution<\/em>. Formerly on faculty at the University of Oxford, he is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, All Souls College, and Exeter College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>480 pages \/ Belknap Press \/ 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hup.harvard.edu\/books\/9780674987319\">https:\/\/www.hup.harvard.edu\/books\/9780674987319<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":47987,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[8,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-knjige","category-novosti"],"acf":{"facebook_opis":""},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Dabhoiwala-Free-Speech.jpeg?fit=1430%2C2090&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":53712,"url":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/?p=53712","url_meta":{"origin":47986,"position":0},"title":"INVITATION TO A SERIES OF SHORT LECTURES ENTITLED BEYOND PASTORAL CARE: CLERGY, SOCIETY, AND POPULAR AGENCY IN THE LATE HABSBURG EMPIRE","author":"Branimir Jankovi\u0107","date":"25. svibnja 2026.","format":false,"excerpt":"You are kindly invited to a series of short lectures entitled Beyond Pastoral Care: Clergy, Society, and Popular Agency in the Late Habsburg Empire, which will take place on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, from 11:00 to 13:00 at the Institute of Contemporary History. The event will feature a lecture by\u2026","rel":"","context":"U &quot;Novosti&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Novosti","link":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Clergy-2.png?fit=1090%2C615&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Clergy-2.png?fit=1090%2C615&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Clergy-2.png?fit=1090%2C615&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Clergy-2.png?fit=1090%2C615&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Clergy-2.png?fit=1090%2C615&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":54134,"url":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/?p=54134","url_meta":{"origin":47986,"position":1},"title":"Yearbook of the Society for 18th Century Studies on South Eastern Europe (2026): Rad o Franji Jela\u010di\u0107u","author":"Branimir Jankovi\u0107","date":"17. lipnja 2026.","format":false,"excerpt":"U\u00a0najnovijem broju godi\u0161njaka SOG18 (Society for 18th Century Studies on South Eastern Europe)\u00a0Yearbook of the Society for 18th Century Studies on South Eastern Europe\u00a0(Vol. 9, 2026), koji izdaje Odsjek za povijest Sveu\u010dili\u0161ta u Grazu, objavljen je - uz ostale vrijedne priloge - i rad Filipa Katani\u0107a iz Zagreba o vojni\u010dkom\u2026","rel":"","context":"U &quot;\u010casopisi&quot;","block_context":{"text":"\u010casopisi","link":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/?cat=21"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Volume-9.jpg?fit=504%2C712&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":53805,"url":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/?p=53805","url_meta":{"origin":47986,"position":2},"title":"&#8220;Relics and War in the Eastern Roman Empire&#8221;, J. S. del Pozo","author":"Filip \u0160imunjak","date":"3. lipnja 2026.","format":false,"excerpt":"Relics and War in the Eastern Roman Empire: Christian Charismatic Objects in Byzantine Military Contexts and Society This book examines the use of Christian relics as protective amulets, emblems, and talismans in war and military contexts in the Eastern Roman Empire (ca. 310\u20131204). For centuries, Christians have venerated the mortal\u2026","rel":"","context":"U &quot;Knjige&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Knjige","link":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/?cat=8"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Relics-and-War-East-Rome.webp?fit=596%2C901&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Relics-and-War-East-Rome.webp?fit=596%2C901&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Relics-and-War-East-Rome.webp?fit=596%2C901&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":54031,"url":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/?p=54031","url_meta":{"origin":47986,"position":3},"title":"Call for Book Chapters: Alternatives to the Nation-State: Federalism, Autonomy, and Post-Imperial Imaginaries in the Mediterranean Long Nineteenth Century","author":"Branimir Jankovi\u0107","date":"11. lipnja 2026.","format":false,"excerpt":"Workshop Date: September 24, 2026 - September 25, 2026 Location: Greece Subject Fields: Intellectual History, Modern European History \/ Studies \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2026","rel":"","context":"U &quot;Novosti&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Novosti","link":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/HNet_Logo_with_tag.png?fit=1200%2C424&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/HNet_Logo_with_tag.png?fit=1200%2C424&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/HNet_Logo_with_tag.png?fit=1200%2C424&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/HNet_Logo_with_tag.png?fit=1200%2C424&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/HNet_Logo_with_tag.png?fit=1200%2C424&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":52679,"url":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/?p=52679","url_meta":{"origin":47986,"position":4},"title":"CfP: CHOSEN NATION(S): HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INTERPRETATIONS OF EXCEPTIONALISM, BUDAPEST, 10TH\u201311TH JUNE 2026 (DEADLINE: 1ST MAY 2026)","author":"Branimir Jankovi\u0107","date":"27. travnja 2026.","format":false,"excerpt":"The Ludovika University of Public Service (NKE) and the Jewish Theological Seminary \u2013 University of Jewish Studies (OR-ZSE) are pleased to announce a joint academic conference on \u201cChosen Nation(s): Historical and Cultural Interpretations of Exceptionalism\u201d, to be held in Budapest, Hungary. Chosen Nation(s): Historical and Cultural Interpretations of Exceptionalism Keynote\u2026","rel":"","context":"U &quot;Novosti&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Novosti","link":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/hsozkult.png?fit=1006%2C241&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/hsozkult.png?fit=1006%2C241&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/hsozkult.png?fit=1006%2C241&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/hsozkult.png?fit=1006%2C241&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":54165,"url":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/?p=54165","url_meta":{"origin":47986,"position":5},"title":"CfP: Beyond the Game: Women, Sport, and Social Changes","author":"Branimir Jankovi\u0107","date":"18. lipnja 2026.","format":false,"excerpt":"2nd International Scientific Conference Beyond the Game: Women, Sport, and Social Changes Zagreb, Croatia | December 17\u201319, 2026Organizers: Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar & University of Zagreb Faculty of Kinesiology Dear colleagues, We are pleased to invite you to the 2nd International Scientific Conference Beyond the Game: Women, Sport,\u2026","rel":"","context":"U &quot;Novosti&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Novosti","link":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Game.jpg?fit=1200%2C847&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Game.jpg?fit=1200%2C847&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Game.jpg?fit=1200%2C847&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Game.jpg?fit=1200%2C847&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/historiografija.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Game.jpg?fit=1200%2C847&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47986","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=47986"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47986\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47991,"href":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47986\/revisions\/47991"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/47987"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=47986"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=47986"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/historiografija.hr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=47986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}