#92 - Is There A Constitutional Right To Unlimited Spending On Political Speech?
Open to Debate2 Jul 2014

#92 - Is There A Constitutional Right To Unlimited Spending On Political Speech?

Is independent political speech the linchpin of our democracy or its Achilles' heel? For democracy to work, some say, citizens (and corporations, and unions, and media outlets, and other voluntary organizations) must be allowed to express their views on the issues, candidates, and elections of the day. This proposition, they say, is exactly why the First Amendment protects the freedom of speech and of the press. On this view, restrictions on independent political speech undermine and subvert our constitutional structure. But others take a different view: If everyone can spend as much money as they like to express their political views, then some voices will be amplified, magnified and enhanced — while others will be all but drowned out. On this view, it is this inequality of influence that subverts our constitutional structure — and restrictions that level the playing field actually enhance rather than abridge the freedom of speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episoder(457)

Does Obama's Foreign Policy Spell America's Decline?

Does Obama's Foreign Policy Spell America's Decline?

When it comes to foreign policy, some argue that President Obama is alienating the United States' allies as he seeks to make accommodations for nations with whom America has more uncertain relationshi...

18 Mai 201052min

Is Organic Food Stuffed Full Of Marketing Hype?

Is Organic Food Stuffed Full Of Marketing Hype?

Is paying extra money for organic food worth it? Some argue that the label confers real value, while others claim that organic food has not been proven healthier and that it comes with its own environ...

10 Mai 201052min

Are Teachers Unions To Blame For Failing Schools?

Are Teachers Unions To Blame For Failing Schools?

In the quest to remake America's public schools, teachers unions have frequently been blasted as an obstacle to improvement. But do unions really deserve more of the blame than shrinking budgets and o...

23 Mar 201052min

Should The U.S. Scale Back Relations With Israel?

Should The U.S. Scale Back Relations With Israel?

Does the United States' special relationship with Israel come at too high a cost in the Middle East? A panel of experts takes on the question in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. Learn more...

18 Feb 201052min

Is California The First Failed State?

Is California The First Failed State?

California is in the midst of a budget nightmare. Will the Golden State find a bailout, or has it become the first failed state of the union? A group of experts takes on the topic in an Intelligence S...

28 Jan 201052min

Is America To Blame For Mexico's Drug War?

Is America To Blame For Mexico's Drug War?

In Mexico, thousands of people have died in drug-related violence in the past three years as the government has ramped up its war on drug cartels. But is the United States — with its market for illega...

9 Des 200952min

Are Obama's Economic Policies Working Effectively?

Are Obama's Economic Policies Working Effectively?

As the economy slowly begins to recover from the financial meltdown, should the Obama administration get credit for turning things around? Or has the administration failed to do what it takes to reall...

24 Nov 200952min

Good Riddance To Mainstream Media?

Good Riddance To Mainstream Media?

As newspapers go under, the network newscasts lose viewers and the mainstream media in general see more and more of their audience shift online, are we as a society better or worse off? A panel of exp...

4 Nov 200952min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
forklart
stopp-verden
popradet
det-store-bildet
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
dine-penger-pengeradet
rss-gukild-johaug
fotballpodden-2
nokon-ma-ga
hanna-de-heldige
rss-ness
aftenbla-bla
rss-espen-lee-usensurert
e24-podden
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
frokostshowet-pa-p5
bt-dokumentar-2