Transformations in
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Article
DOES MARKET ECONOMY FOLLOW FREEDOM OF SPEECH OR VICE VERSA?
Algis Mickunas, Tomas Kacerauskas
ABSTRACT: In the article, we examine the promotion of hate and autocracy in the environment of liberal democracy and market economy, comparing economic values with social capital, as well as the relationship between ideology and authoritarian populism. We use the method of critical analysis, together with a synthetic method to describe the integrated socio-politico-economic phenomena. We develop the theses as follows. 1. The free market is inseparable from the freedom of speech and press. 2. Freedom of speech and economic activities has many limitations including the responsibility of actors, social state politics, and ideology. 3. The biggest threat to freedom lies in very democracy which tends to evolve into populist autocracy. 4. The constitution guarantees both freedom of speech and economic activities but it is effective only when the majority is convinced of the value of constitutional democracy.
KEYWORDS: free market, liberal democracy, freedom of speech, economic values.
JEL classification: C70, J53