Freedom of Expression as Self-Restraint provides a novel justificatory foundation for the principle of freedom of expression. As the book argues, such a principle is absolute in that it is exceptionless; it imposes general duties that are binding always and everywere on every system of governance. In addition to injecting a new level of philosophical sophistication into the debates over freedom of expression, the book ties the principle to an ideal of governmental self-restraint, and it shows how that ideal connects to the paramount moral responsibility of every system of governance: the responsibility to bring about the political, social, and economic conditions under which every member of society can be warranted in harbouring an ample sense of self-respect. In short, compliance by a system of governance with the principle of freedom of expression is integral to the fulfilment of that paramount responsibility.

About the Author
Matthew H. Kramer is Professor of Legal and Political Philosophy at the University of Cambridge, and is a Fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge. He is the Director of the Cambridge Forum for Legal & Political Philosophy, and he has been a Fellow of the British Academy since 2014. He is the author of 16 previous books and co-editor of 4 additional books.

Awards
Winner of Shortlisted, 2023 Mackenzie Book Prize, Political Studies Association.



Book Information
ISBN 9780198868651
Author Matthew H. Kramer
Format Hardback
Page Count 368
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 706g
Dimensions(mm) 241mm * 166mm * 26mm