FREEDOM OF SILENCE: CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION AGAINST GOVERNMENTAL INTRUSIONS IN POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Authors

Charles B. Nutting, University of Pittsburgh School of LawFollow

Abstract

Paradoxically enough, the "right" to be silent has been vociferously asserted by some of our most loquacious citizens. The current activities of Congressional investigating committees and the possible enactment of laws regulating participation in certain political affairs make timely a consideration of the basis for the assertion of the "right" and an attempt to determine the extent to which it may be said truly to be protected against intrusions by the state or national governments. It is proposed first to consider the question of secrecy in connection with the elective process itself and later to extend the inquiry into problems connected with political beliefs and activities in general.

Recommended Citation

Charles B. Nutting, FREEDOM OF SILENCE: CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION AGAINST GOVERNMENTAL INTRUSIONS IN POLITICAL AFFAIRS, 47 Mich. L. Rev. 181 (1948).
Available at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/mlr/vol47/iss2/3