Regulation of Speech in Multicultural Societies

One major issue that confronts contemporary multicultural societies in Europe and North America is the regulation of speech and writing deemed offensive to ethnic or religious minorities. Should such speech be subject to legal restrictions or should the principle of free speech be considered paramount? Through a series of recent case studies the book examines the politics behind this issue. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies.

This book focuses on the way in which public debate and legal practice intersect when it comes to the value of free speech and the need to regulate "offensive", "blasphemous" or "hate" speech, especially, though not exclusively where such speech is thought to be offensive to members of ethnic and religious minorities.

The themes addressed are of great significance for contemporary societies in many parts of the world, including Europe and North America, and although the volume focuses principally on the European context, it also addresses the theme on an international level. Contributions look at the transnational intertextuality of the debate, as well as comparing approaches to regulation in different countries (notably between the European Court of Human Rights and the United States Supreme Court). This book was originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies.