In this episode of Atlas Network with Michael Carnuccio, Jacob Mchangama, founder of The Future of Free Speech at Vanderbilt University, discusses the current global recession of protections for free speech. Despite the United States’ historic role as a bastion of free speech, increasing censorship and political polarization now threaten its robustness. Mchangama highlights how free speech erosion in democratic countries has significant global consequences. He delves into recurring historical themes such as “elite panic” and “Milton's curse,” and emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to defending free speech in the digital age. Mchangama also introduces what he will pitch at Atlas Network’s Smart Bets pitch competition at Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner in New York, aiming to fortify free speech in key democracies. This conversation is a deep dive into the vital role of free speech in maintaining democratic freedoms and the continuous challenge it faces globally.

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Show Notes / Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Global Free Speech Crisis

00:40 Meet Jacob Mchangama: Advocate for Free Expression

01:35 Current Threats to Free Speech

06:43 Historical Context and Global Impact

09:55 The Future of Free Speech Project

18:05 Collaborations and Partnerships

19:43 Insights from “Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media”

25:47 Smart Bets Pitch and Global Free Speech Efforts

40:56 Personal Reflections and Hopes for Free Speech

46:50 Conclusion and Call to Action