THE FREEDOM BLOG

THE FREEDOM BLOG emphasizes the importance of free speech, the dangers of political authoritarianism, and the value of a free society. It critiques government overreach, censorship, centralized power, and discusses the implications of policies on free speech, democracy, and individual freedoms, advocating for transparency, decentralization, and the questioning of official narratives.

Free Speech & Censorship Political Authoritarianism Government Policies & Overreach Democracy & Populism Digital Regulation & Privacy Public Health & Freedom Social & Political Philosophy Immigration & Borders Environmental Policies

The hottest Substack posts of THE FREEDOM BLOG

And their main takeaways

President von der Leyen's WEF Speech Shows She Will Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste

412 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics European Union Global Cooperation Censorship Disinformation
  1. President von der Leyen emphasizes the need for businesses and governments to collaborate in addressing the risks of misinformation and disinformation.
  2. The fight against misinformation should consider that it comes from various sources and political biases, not just easily identified malicious actors.
  3. Caution should be exercised in handing over internet regulation to a political elite, as it may lead to power grabs disguised as cooperation.

Nine Reasons Governments Must Reject Proposed Amendments to International Health Regulations

255 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health International Law Global Governance Pandemic Management
  1. Proposed amendments to International Health Regulations give too much power to the WHO during international public health emergencies.
  2. The amendments remove language about dignity, human rights, and freedom and replace it with a focus on equity and inclusivity.
  3. The WHO can unilaterally declare a potential public health emergency, leading to a global bio-surveillance regime and censorship regime.

Those Who Seek To Control Our Speech Are Persecuting the Truth

196 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Freedom of Speech Censorship
  1. Politicians and journalists are advocating for silencing certain opinions in the name of protecting the public from 'hatred' and 'falsehood.'
  2. Attempting to create a more truthful and tolerant society by suppressing false and hateful speech leads to a reliance on brute power.
  3. When society is rife with disagreement, the suppression of falsehood and hatred can only be achieved through the use of force.
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What is Freedom of Speech, and Why Do We Cherish It?

98 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🚌 Education Freedom of Speech Communication Limitations Democracy
  1. Free speech is a core value of Western democracy and crucial for safeguarding other liberties.
  2. Speech is essential for participating in societal and political life, fostering friendship, rational inquiry, and statesmanship.
  3. Defending and promoting relatively free speech is crucial for upholding values like friendship, the pursuit of truth, artistic expression, and serving the common good.

In a Free Society...

314 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Freedom
  1. In a free society, your right to speak in public is not controlled by authorities.
  2. In a free society, the government cannot restrict your civil rights for health reasons.
  3. In a free society, you should not face financial consequences for expressing political opinions.

The Talibanisation of Banking Would Spell the End of Political Freedom

314 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
  1. Some banking services are penalizing customers for political or ideological reasons
  2. A society where banks control based on political views could lead to economic exclusion
  3. Banks could become tools of political persecution rather than institutions for everyone

Populism May Be the Only Strategy Capable of Holding Authoritarianism At Bay

255 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Populism Authoritarianism
  1. Populism can be effective in countering authoritarianism by representing citizen concerns over elite interests.
  2. There is a growing disconnect between political elites and ordinary citizens on various issues like censorship, trans ideology, and climate policy.
  3. Mainstream journalists have sometimes portrayed populism negatively, but it can serve as a mobilizing force against authoritarian tendencies.

Here's Why Refugee Policy Cannot Be an "Open Borders" Free-For-All

275 implied HN points • 28 May 23
🌍 World Politics Public Opinion Government Accountability Ireland
  1. Citizens should be allowed to raise questions about immigration policies without being dismissed as 'right-wing.'
  2. Countries need to consider the implications of accepting refugees on their own citizens' safety and access to public services.
  3. A thoughtless open borders policy may not benefit migrants or citizens, and it's the government's responsibility to manage such a crisis.

Spain's Electoral Results Are a Perfect Illustration of the Pathology of Centralised Rule

157 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Decentralization Government Power Policy
  1. Spain's recent election results show challenges with centralized rule in forming a stable government with diverse opinions.
  2. Centralized democratic States may lead to policies out of touch with citizens' wishes due to a concentration of power in national parliaments.
  3. Devolved government and finances could reduce political conflict, improve accountability, and better reflect local interests.