Silencing Political Dissent: How Post-September 11 Anti-Terrorism Measures Threaten Our Civil Liberties

Open Media

by Nancy Chang, Center for Constitutional Rights, Howard Zinn (Foreword by)

In her groundbreaking new book, Silencing Political Dissent, constitutional expert Nancy Chang examines how the Bush administration's fight against terrorism is resulting in a disturbing erosion of First Amendment rights and increase of executive power.
Chang's compelling analysis begins with a historical review of political repression and intolerance of dissent in America. From the Sedition Act of 1798, through the Smith Act of the 1940s and the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II, to the FBI's infamous COINTELPRO program of the 1960s, Chang recalls how during times of crisis and war, the U.S. government has unjustly detained individuals, invaded personal privacy, and hampered the free speech of Americans.
Chang's expertise as a senior constitutional attorney shines through in the power and clarity of her argument. Meticulously researched and footnoted, Chang's book forces us to challenge the government when it is unpopular to do so, and to consider that perhaps "our future safety lies in the expansion, rather the contraction, of the democratic values set forth in the Constitution."

Genres: Politics, History, Nonfiction, Political Science

168 pages, Paperback

First published July 9, 2002

Reviews

[Garrett.k · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a little dated, even though it was just published 5 years ago it. This book breaks down the Patriot Act and other post 9/11 power grabs by the Executive Branch. It is well cited and serves as a great starting point for looking into the scope of the US gov't's investigative and disruptive powers.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder why this doesn't get more attention but maybe if I reread this I'll remember why.

[Nut Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though obviously dated given its publication in 2002, this remains valuable as a historical reference of not only the original iteration of the Patriot Act, but also discussion of previous efforts to criminalize or surveil political dissent. Chapter 1 includes a concise history of previous efforts to curtail first amendment rights, including the Sedition act of 1798, Espionage act of 1917, Smith act of 1940, the Red scare during Cold War and the COINTELPRO program under j. Edgar Hoover. The following chapters detail the Patriot Act, and Chang effectively argues how the government dampened free speech, "imposed guilt by association, and prevented the public, the press, and Congress from overseeing their actions." As we all learned from Edward Snowden's leak in 2013, critics were justified in their concerns. However, though the USA Freedom act replaced and reformed the Patriot Act, it is worth appreciating how people like Chang predicted such abuses of power long before evidence was brought to light. Hence, this book remains worth reading in order to understand what happened in the past, and how to recognize the dangers should history repeat itself.

[Breanna S · Rating 4 out of 5]

While some of the sections of this book on the Patriot Act are outdated, the history about criminalizing political dissent, and the sections on preventive detention and increased surveillance are all still very relevant today. There is no guarantee that our civil liberties won't be threatened in this way again by another president.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

good overview of the implications of the laws added altered and basically pee'd on by the partriot act. examples of how they are being used to keep the alternative voice out of the mainstream discussion.

[Orion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good info on the different parts of the Patriot Act, that help take away the rights of the average citizen, in the name of National Security. Gives a good refresher of the beginnings of the US. Downfall, BORING! Makes good restroom reading. Read a few pages until down.

[6655321 · Rating 1 out of 5]

boring, dated, methodologically flawed, "liberal" in the uncritical sense