Freedom of Speech

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses freedom of speech in the American and the Mexican systems in light of the fact that the two countries are growing closer together in trade. The paper states that American individuals and businessmen need to understand the differences in the laws and customs on freedom of speech, as well as other cultural and legal differences between the two countries, in order to understand the meaning of actions and statements made by Mexican leaders. Examining the issue of freedom of speech in Mexico as compared to the U.S. can illustrate the differences and some of the reasons for those differences. The paper concludes that both systems are protected and neither can be seen as perfect in the degree to which it protects these freedoms. The Mexican government wants to be represented well in American thinking and to work with the American government for an improved economic situation for Mexico. Freedom of expression has been guaranteed by the Mexican Constitution, and now that promise has to be strengthened in order to assure that it is maintained.

Introduction
Mexico and the U.S.
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Expression
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The United States has a long tradition of political freedom, while Mexico does not. The United States as a nation is more than 225 years old, while Mexico as a nation is a little more than a century old. The United States emerged from its Revolution as a country with a new form of government, one crated as a counter to the kind of rigid and hierarchical society the settlers had known in Europe. In the U.S., freedom of speech is divided into freedom of speech and freedom of the press as related concepts differentiated largely by whether the expression is written in a publication or expressed verbally or through actions (in some cases). Case law has established both these types of expression as fundamental rights based on their inclusion in the Bill of Rights in the First Amendment."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Critchell, P.L. (1990). 'Tolerance' Versus 'Decency': Vindication or Vitiation of the 'Patent Offensiveness' Prong of Miller v. California? Columbia-VLA Journal of Law & the Arts , 415--450.
• Goldstein, R. (1994). Hate speech, free speech, and the unspoken. In Signs of Life, S. Maasik & J. Solomon (eds.), 411-417. Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martin's Press.
• Hall, K.L. (1992). The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States. New York: Oxford.
• Harlan, J.M. & Blackmun, H.A. (1996). Paul Robert Cohen, apellant, v. State of California. In Current Issues and Enduring Questions, S. Barnet & H. Bedau (eds.), 643-650. Boston: Bedford Books.
• Hunter, J.D. (1991). Culture wars. New York: Harper Collins.

More papers on Freedom of Speech:

• Analytical Essay # 49160 : "Freedom of Speech"
• Research Paper # 122279 : "Constitution and Freedom of Speech Issues"
• Analytical Essay # 121427 : "Tyler Harper and Freedom of Speech"
• Essay # 4170 : "Hate Speeches: The Right to Freedom of Speech"

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