Extremism, Free Speech and Counter-Terrorism Law and Policy

This edited collection addresses a number of the free speech vs security concerns that are engaged by counter-terrorism law & policy across a number of liberal democracies. The book explores the delicate balance between free speech and the censoring of views that either promote hatred or clash with fundamental democratic values. It does this by looking at the perspectives and level of disagreement between those who consider today’s counter terrorism and extremism strategies to be a soft and liberal approach, and those who believe these strategies disproportionately impact freedom of expression, association and nonviolent political dissent.

The contributors include academics, practicing lawyers and think tank analysts who examine whether universities and schools incubators of violent radicalism and debate if the views of ‘extremist’ speakers and hate preachers need to be censored. Outside the UK, critical discussion of other liberal democracies’ regulation of counter-terrorism, extremism and free speech is also offered.

This book will of be great interest to researchers and practitioners with interests in extremism, terrorism, civil rights and freedom of speech.