Political Correctness as Modern Censorship?
From Legal to Political Correctness and to the Boundaries of Intellectual Expression
- Open Access
- 2026
- Open Access
- Book
- Author
- Spyridon Vlachopoulos
- Book Series
- SpringerBriefs in Political Science
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Switzerland
About this book
This Open Access book examines the rise of political correctness as a cultural and normative force that has reshaped public discourse, legal norms, and democratic values. The author argues that what began as a movement for inclusion and respect has evolved into a system of informal censorship that increasingly constrains freedom of expression, artistic creativity, and academic inquiry.
Grounded in legal theory and enriched by interdisciplinary analysis, the book explores the shift from legal correctness to moral conformity. It traces how political correctness influences education, the media, science, and international relations. Through real-world examples and critical reflection, the author reveals how well-intentioned efforts to protect marginalized voices can inadvertently suppress dissent and intellectual diversity.
The book offers a principled call for "mutual tolerance" as a democratic ideal that safeguards inclusivity and the freedom to challenge prevailing norms. This vital contribution to contemporary debates on law, culture, and free speech will appeal to scholars, professionals, and engaged citizens alike.
Advertisement
Table of Contents
-
1. Legal Correctness as a Diachronic Central Concept of Legal Science
- Open Access
Download PDF-versionThis chapter delves into the concept of correctness as a pivotal element in legal science, contrasting it with the pursuit of truth in other disciplines. It explores how legal science is deeply rooted in the evolving social, economic, and political landscape, making correctness a more relevant and adaptable concept. The text discusses the subjective nature of legal reasoning and the constant evolution of legal principles, illustrated through examples from constitutional law. It highlights the increasing influence of international law and the principle of proportionality, emphasizing the dynamic and context-dependent nature of legal correctness. The chapter concludes by underscoring the importance of embracing uncertainty and evolution in legal science, distinguishing it from other fields where truth is more absolute and universal.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
AbstractLegal science, unlike other sciences, does not focus on the search for the only truth, but on the search for the right (in the sense of a just) solution. But even this correct solution changes from place to place and from time to time. It is enough to consider the new rights that could not be imagined until a few decades ago (e.g. protection of the environment, protection of personal data) and the different solutions that legal systems still offer today in various issues (e.g. death penalty). Today, however, legal science is concerned not so much with the concept of legal correctness but with the concept of political correctness, which has dominated public debate in recent years and raises a number of constitutional issues, especially in the field of individual rights. -
2. Political Correctness. The General Context
- Open Access
Download PDF-versionThis chapter examines the broad and complex concept of political correctness, tracing its historical development and exploring its multifaceted impact on society. It begins by defining political correctness in both its narrow and broad senses, highlighting its role in shaping communication, behavior, and social norms. The text delves into the debates surrounding political correctness, discussing its supporters and opponents, and the various expressions of political correctness in different domains, such as education, media, and international relations. It also explores the intersection of political correctness with technology and social media, discussing the phenomenon of 'cancel culture' and the role of artificial intelligence in perpetuating or challenging political correctness. The chapter further examines the involvement of language in political correctness, discussing how language evolves and adapts to reflect changing social norms and values. It also explores the role of political correctness in warfare and international relations, discussing how political correctness can influence foreign policy and international discourse. The text concludes by discussing the future of political correctness, its potential implications, and the need for a nuanced and interdisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing this complex phenomenon.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
AbstractWhat is what we call “political correctness”? In the words of Francis Fukuyama, political correctness “refers to things that we cannot say in public without fearing a degrading moral condemnation,” something that takes on particular weight in today’s era of the domination of the internet and social media. The examples of political correctness are numerous and extend to almost all areas of our lives (in politics, art, science, education, working relations, etc.), with the result that the adjective “political” (correctness) is rather misleading. The controversy over political correctness is intense and has taken on ideological features, with its supporters usually being ranked as liberal-progressive and its opponents as conservative. But nor is this accurate: political correctness has acquired universal characteristics and runs through all political and ideological currents. -
3. Political Correctness as a Constitutional Issue
- Open Access
Download PDF-versionThe chapter examines the intricate relationship between political correctness and freedom of expression, focusing on the key features of freedom of expression and the concept of the 'chilling effect' which leads to self-censorship. It explores how political correctness impacts artistic freedom, scientific discourse, and academic freedom, with examples from literature, academia, and the arts. The text also delves into the historical and contemporary contexts of political correctness, highlighting its selective perspective and the practice of double standards. It concludes by discussing the implications of political correctness on social cohesion, individual rights, and the future of democratic societies. Readers will gain insights into the complexities of balancing freedom of expression with the evolving standards of political correctness, and the potential consequences for artistic and academic freedoms.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
AbstractThe numerous examples in the third chapter of the book (from changing words in Agatha Christie's books to reacting to Rolling Stones’ song lyrics and restricting freedom of expression in European and American universities) suggest that political correctness is a major constraint on freedoms of expression, art and science. While the starting point of political correctness could be characterized as positive (in the sense that it is not allowed to offend the other person because of their difference), its application in practice often leads to uniformity, the elimination of diversity and the inability to express different opinions. As Nick Cave has observed, political correctness's “once honourable attempt to redefine our society in a fairer way now embodies the worst aspects religion has to offer (and nothing of its beauty)”. -
4. ‘Thematic’ and ‘Ad Hominem’ Political Correctness
- Open Access
Download PDF-versionThis chapter explores the two main categories of political correctness: 'thematic' and 'ad hominem'. 'Thematic' political correctness restricts discussions on certain topics and the use of specific words, hindering free dialogue essential for democracy. 'Ad hominem' political correctness targets individuals based on their unorthodox views or past actions, leading to social and professional isolation. The chapter examines the dangers of both types, including the impact on historical figures like Thomas Jefferson and Winston Churchill. It questions the appropriateness of judging historical personalities by modern standards and discusses the complexities of engaging with controversial figures like Carl Schmitt. The chapter concludes by highlighting the importance of nuanced discussions and the risks of oversimplifying historical contexts.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
Abstract“Thematic” political correctness is directed against specific words and opinions, ignoring that words do not have a unique and unalterable content, but their meaning depends on many factors, such as the place, time and language in which they are spoken. On the other hand, “ad hominem” (personalized) political correctness targets individuals because of their positions or their history. Personalized political correctness, whose victims include Thomas Jefferson and Winston Churchill, is based on a Manichean logic of absolute distinction between “good” and “evil” and classifies people as “acceptable” and “unacceptable”, subjecting historical personalities to a “purity test” disconnected from the historical context in which they acted. But history consists not only of positive but also of negative moments, and the disappearance of these negative moments through political correctness leads to a deficit in education. -
5. Digression: Political Correctness and Its Relationship to the Rise of Populism
- Open Access
Download PDF-versionThis chapter examines the multifaceted phenomenon of populism and its relationship with political correctness. It explores how populists present themselves as liberators from political correctness constraints, while also being agents of a different form of political correctness tailored to conservative audiences. The chapter delves into the paradox of populists like Donald Trump, who, despite portraying themselves as opponents of political correctness, advocate for a conservative version of it. It also discusses how political correctness can hinder the expression of conservative views, driving segments of society towards the far right. The chapter highlights the importance of democratic discourse that includes both progressive and conservative perspectives, emphasizing the stabilizing function of the synthesis of different viewpoints. A notable example discussed is the cancellation of a conference on fertility and reproductive autonomy, which was ultimately cancelled due to intense political correctness-driven backlash. The chapter concludes by stressing the need for a pluralistic democratic discourse that upholds constitutional limits on freedom of expression, allowing for both traditional and forward-thinking approaches to difficult social issues.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
AbstractAlthough the rise of populists in modern democracies is a complex phenomenon, it is also linked to political correctness. When someone is afraid to express a view that can be considered “anachronistic” or “outdated”, thus suffering the consequences of “cancel culture”, they are very likely to turn towards the populists. For a common characteristic of populists is that they appear to be unconventional politicians, who will “liberate” citizens from the norms of political correctness as opposed to traditional and conventional politicians. Of course, apart from the many other contradictions, the populist politicians themselves are carriers of a different, but nevertheless political correctness. A typical example is the questioning of climate change and the preference for the term “weather extremes”. -
6. “Mutual Tolerance” as a Social Norm and Legal Principle
- Open Access
Download PDF-versionThis chapter delves into the complex dynamics of political correctness, revealing its unintended consequences on freedom of expression and diversity. It argues that while political correctness aims to promote inclusivity, it often leads to uniformity and suppression of minority opinions. The text explores the concept of 'mutual tolerance' as a social norm and legal principle, emphasizing respect for diversity and the rights of individuals to hold differing views. It also discusses the delicate balance between freedom of expression and respect for sensitivities, highlighting the importance of tolerance in modern democratic societies. The chapter concludes by advocating for a shift towards 'respect for diversity' and 'friendliness toward one's fellow human beings', urging a more nuanced approach to political correctness that fosters inclusivity without stifling debate.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
AbstractPolitical correctness has moved away from its original purpose of respecting diversity, but at its starting point it has a positive element: in a society you are not allowed to act as if you were a “legibus solutus”. You must respect the sensitivities of other people and accept their right to think and live in a different way. On the other hand, you cannot ban the expression of an opinion just because you consider it “anachronistic,” “reactionary,” or even “outrageous”. The “golden mean” consists of “mutual tolerance”, which is not only a rule of social conduct but also a legal principle, especially in the field of the exercise of constitutional rights. The final chapter of the book deals with specific examples of the subtle but necessary differentiations for the application of “mutual tolerance” as a legal principle.
- Title
- Political Correctness as Modern Censorship?
- Author
-
Spyridon Vlachopoulos
- Copyright Year
- 2026
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Switzerland
- Electronic ISBN
- 978-3-032-17643-1
- Print ISBN
- 978-3-032-17642-4
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-17643-1
PDF files of this book have been created in accordance with the PDF/UA-1 standard to enhance accessibility, including screen reader support, described non-text content (images, graphs), bookmarks for easy navigation, keyboard-friendly links and forms and searchable, selectable text. We recognize the importance of accessibility, and we welcome queries about accessibility for any of our products. If you have a question or an access need, please get in touch with us at accessibilitysupport@springernature.com.
