Is freedom of speech a necessity in a functional society?

[King Salvo]

One of the cornerstones of a democracy is freedom of speech

Can societies function just as well without freedom of speech?

[Andrew Walker]

For the purpose of discussion. Can you please define freedom of speech. Freedom of speech in some ways is a myth. One just cannot say whatever they like whenever they like and use freedom of speech as a platform or in their defence

[rented tracksuit]

For the purpose of discussion. Can you please define freedom of speech. Freedom of speech in some ways is a myth. One just cannot say whatever they like whenever they like and use freedom of speech as a platform or in their defence

The OP here does.

[zac]

as a general rule freedom of speech is a good thing. it allows ideas to be tested and different points of view to be aired.

lenin killed of communism as a workable idea by proclaiming the idea of the dictatorship of the proletariat, by which he meant dictatorship by the communist party. if he'd allowed more democracy and freedom of speech - not the same things - the regime would have been less repressive. he should have left russia to the menshiviks

[ism22]

I think countries where you cannot openly criticise the government reduce their economic, social and geopolitical opportunities because:

- Nobody can hold such governments to account and tell them how they can do better. All governments are shyte and will pull the wool over your eyes unless held to account! Staying in power just because people are too scared to speak out can only last for so long and makes for a dense society rather than a creative/progressive one where all sorts of voices are heard.

- Innovation gets destroyed because it's not welcome, it's seen as a threat. You want people thinking up new ideas rather than the government saying 'grow more of the crops we want here because I say so... I'll throw you in prison and give somebody else your farm if you grow other stuff. Don't wanna hear that it suits the climate better, we demand more cotton!!! [When it grows like shyte and everybody's starving]'

- Productivity stagnates when you can't speak up because the ruling class becomes extremely lazy/entitled, and nobody's allowed to challenge them. Thus, you get say 10% of society holding all the wealth and there's no incentive for them to innovate as it could result in somebody else taking away their wealth. Instead of having a bunch of crazy entrepreneurs trying out lotsa new ideas that interrupt old, stagnant cr@p... you get a heap of stagnant cr@p that's run by rusted on yes men.

- Other countries won't share as much with you as you're not allowed to talk openly with them and you're gonna have zero favours to call-in from them when times are tough. Discussions become a pantomime full of lies and defensive bullcr@p.

IMO it's no surprise that despite some having large economies, no dictatorships that suppress free speech are developed economies. Honestly, this is why smaller countries that are opening up are the ones to watch over the next 50 years. They're not gonna become developed countries overnight, but they'll see crazy amounts of economic growth as productivity and innovation increase.

There's a reason why Russia's economy's roughly the size of Australia's despite it having 150 million people, many times more resources and crazy funding for things like space programs and military research. Nobody's allowed to say 'hey eeeeerm Vlad... how about we fund small businesses and innovative startups instead? Nope I'm going to prison and having electric wires plugged into my genitals for saying that instead? "Re-education" for me when you're a clueless dictator and I'm an innovator? Ooookay... I think I might move my innovative startup offshore as I have a feeling you're gonna be stealing my IP as I'm not allowed to have a voice, even when it's my frigging idea!'

[ism22]

Looks like old mate's now trying to be like his hero Assange by locking himself up in the Russia consulate.

He's claiming that the Australian government it a terrorist state that is crushing his freedom of speech. However, he's in the Russian embassy to avoid doing time for pushing a senior citizen down a flight of stairs stairs during an anti-vax rally where he was naming 'alleged paedophiles' and sharing pro-Russian propaganda.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/...05-p5cyb5.html

An older man confronted Australia’s most vocal pro-Putinist, and Boikov pushed him away. The older man was injured tumbling down the steps.

Police charged Boikov with assault and causing actual bodily harm. His passport and parole were revoked on the eve of the flight to Moscow.

“The government want me, want me badly. I can be of no use if I’m in prison bail denied or parole or whatever. I can’t broadcast,” he said.

...

“They were handing out infringements like confetti, load him up, get him off the road’,” Boikov said.

“The police turned me into what I am.”

...

“It demoralises me sometimes, I just wish someone [from Russian officialdom] would say ‘well done for f--- sake’,” he laughed. “What saves me is there is no formal link to the Russian government.”

...

“Am I an agent of influence? Yes. But am I an agent of foreign influence? No.”

LOLz seriously dude, just give yourself up to the police a and do your time. Nobody's trying to kill your freedom of speech, you're wanted for assault and breaching bail.