Free Speech, Transparency, and Democratic Government: an American Perspective

Résumé

Governmental openness and accountability are essential to the proper functioning of a democratic society.  At one point in history, monarchy was the dominant form of government in Europe, and some monarchies tried to justify their existence through the concept of “Divine Right,” the idea that kings were placed on their thrones by God, were divinely inspired and guided, and were carrying out God’s will through their actions. Of course, to the extent that monarchs really were carrying out God’s will, concepts like openness, transparency and democratic accountability had no role.  After all, why would society allow common people to criticize what God has done, or allow them to rebuke the monarch for carrying out God’s choices and actions?