| > "Multiple EU countries have free speech written in their constituion." That's an exceedingly low bar! We need more critical thinking than that to start a substantive discussion about comparative freedoms across political systems. A government can't just declare itself to be a free country; it's practical reality which matters. Exhibits A, B, & C: > "Citizens of the People's Republic of China shall enjoy freedom of speech, the press, assembly, association, procession and demonstration" https://english.www.gov.cn/archive/laws_regulations/2014/08/... ("Constitution of the People’s Republic of China") https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_People%27... > "In conformity with the interests of the toilers, and in order to strengthen the socialist system, the citizens of the U.S.S.R. are guaranteed by law:—(a) Freedom of speech; (b) Freedom of the Press; (c) Freedom of assembly and of holding mass meetings; (d) Freedom of street processions and demonstrations..." https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Page:The_Soviet_Socialist_Con... ("Constitution of the Soviet Union (1936)") > "Citizens are guaranteed freedom of speech, the press, assembly, demonstration and association. The State shall guarantee the conditions for the free activities of democratic political parties and social organizations." https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Socialist_Constitution_of_the... ("Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (2023)") |