Public Opinion on Free Speech: An Analysis of Satisfaction and Partisanship

Abstract

"The existing literature that investigates public opinion on free speech indicates that Americans support the principle but not the practice of free speech. To investigate the relationship between free speech satisfaction and partisanship, two hypotheses are postulated and tested based on the results of a 20-question public opinion survey. The findings of the survey support both hypotheses and reveal that there is a relationship between partisanship and free speech satisfaction. However, due to the demographic makeup of respondents, it is unclear if this relationship is applicable to Democrats as well as Republicans."