This month we continue our series of episodes on speech and censorship. We discuss James Madison’s <a href="https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-17-02-0202" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“Report of 1800,”</a> a document in which Madison discusses the controversies around the Alien and Sedition Acts. Madison’s report contains fascinating reflections on the nature of speech in a republic and why the Sedition Acts in particular are inconsistent with free government. His ideas have some surprising resonances with some of our contemporary debates about free speech. <br /><br />Our guest is Michael Zuckert, Nancy Reeves Dreux Professor Emeritus in the Department of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame. He is currently a visiting professor at Arizona State University’s School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership. Michael’s most recent book is <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nation-So-Conceived-Democratic-Sovereignty/dp/0700633928/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2L2W4KEYL99VG&amp;keywords=michael+zuckert+lincoln&amp;qid=1707848771&amp;sprefix=michael+zuckert+lincoln%2Caps%2C75&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Nation So Conceived: Abraham Lincoln and the Paradox of Democratic Sovereignty</a></i>. <br /><br />Outline of the episode:<br />Historical context re: Alien &amp; Sedition Acts @ 1:02<br />What did the Sedition Act say? @ 4:12<br />Why did people think the Sedition Act was constitutional? @ 6:05<br />Similarity of Founding era press situation and present-day press @ 11:45<br />Why did Madison feel compelled to write the Report? @15:00<br />Free speech and republican government @ 17:00<br />The general case for press freedom and political speech @ 25:00<br />On opinion, conjecture, and truth @ 27:30<br />Lincoln’s “House Divided” speech @ 32:30<br />Madison’s on the kind of political speech we need most @ 35:30<br />Madison on the problem of disinformation @ 37:30 <br /><a href="https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/murthy-v-missouri-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Murthy v. Missouri</a> (5th Circuit case) @51:00<br />Michael Zuckert’s <i><a href="https://nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/the-insoluble-problem-of-free-speech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Affairs essay on speech</a></i> @ 54:40 <br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/theEIpod" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@theEIpod</a>. We are sponsored by the <a href="https://www.zephyr.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zephyr Institute</a>.

Enduring Interest

Flagg Taylor

SPEECH AND CENSORSHIP #5: Michael Zuckert on James Madison's "Report of 1800"

FEB 14, 202466 MIN
Enduring Interest

SPEECH AND CENSORSHIP #5: Michael Zuckert on James Madison's "Report of 1800"

FEB 14, 202466 MIN

Description

This month we continue our series of episodes on speech and censorship. We discuss James Madison’s <a href="https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-17-02-0202" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“Report of 1800,”</a> a document in which Madison discusses the controversies around the Alien and Sedition Acts. Madison’s report contains fascinating reflections on the nature of speech in a republic and why the Sedition Acts in particular are inconsistent with free government. His ideas have some surprising resonances with some of our contemporary debates about free speech. <br /><br />Our guest is Michael Zuckert, Nancy Reeves Dreux Professor Emeritus in the Department of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame. He is currently a visiting professor at Arizona State University’s School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership. Michael’s most recent book is <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nation-So-Conceived-Democratic-Sovereignty/dp/0700633928/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2L2W4KEYL99VG&amp;keywords=michael+zuckert+lincoln&amp;qid=1707848771&amp;sprefix=michael+zuckert+lincoln%2Caps%2C75&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Nation So Conceived: Abraham Lincoln and the Paradox of Democratic Sovereignty</a></i>. <br /><br />Outline of the episode:<br />Historical context re: Alien &amp; Sedition Acts @ 1:02<br />What did the Sedition Act say? @ 4:12<br />Why did people think the Sedition Act was constitutional? @ 6:05<br />Similarity of Founding era press situation and present-day press @ 11:45<br />Why did Madison feel compelled to write the Report? @15:00<br />Free speech and republican government @ 17:00<br />The general case for press freedom and political speech @ 25:00<br />On opinion, conjecture, and truth @ 27:30<br />Lincoln’s “House Divided” speech @ 32:30<br />Madison’s on the kind of political speech we need most @ 35:30<br />Madison on the problem of disinformation @ 37:30 <br /><a href="https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/murthy-v-missouri-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Murthy v. Missouri</a> (5th Circuit case) @51:00<br />Michael Zuckert’s <i><a href="https://nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/the-insoluble-problem-of-free-speech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Affairs essay on speech</a></i> @ 54:40 <br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/theEIpod" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@theEIpod</a>. We are sponsored by the <a href="https://www.zephyr.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zephyr Institute</a>.