Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

1-1976

Abstract

It has long been an assumption of American democracy that the liberties guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution are fundamental to the development and success of a democratic society. The freedom to speak one's mind, to publish one's thoughts, to petition the government for a redress of grievances, and to worship or to refrain from worshipping according to one's conscience are those freedoms which set a democratic society apart from other forms of political organization. They provide the individual with the opportunity for self-fulfillment and the society with the benefit of the thoughts, ideas, and aspirations of an enormous variety of human minds. If common sense prevails, the social and political organization will reflect the consensus of its members as to the best of those ideas.' The Constitution contains a number of provisions designed to protect individual liberties and to render the state subject to the will of the people. In a legal sense each provision of the Constitution stands equally with each other provision.' Conflicts can and do arise, however, between competing constitutional interests. To the extent that any judicial pattern can be discerned, there has been a developing tendency to treat First Amendment liberties as first among equals. That is to say, when there is a conflict between a First Amendment freedom and another constitutionally protected right, there is a slight tilt toward the former.

Discipline

Commercial Law

Publication

Emory Law Journal

Volume

25

First Page

815

Last Page

848

ISSN

0094-4076

Publisher

Emory Law Journal

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