Value Of Free Speech Research Articles

There is something of an irony in Professor Baker's decision to respond to my theory of the value of free speech. Of the modern free speech theorists with whom I differ-and the number is considerable '-Professor Baker is in many ways the one with whom I have the fewest fundamental differences. Indeed, much of my article was structured as a defense to an anticipated attack by those theorists who believe that the sole, or at least primary, function of the free speech guarantee is to further the political process.2 Professor Baker is undoubtedly the one least concerned with this issue. Instead, he emphasizes, as I do, the need to focus on development of the individual as the ultimate value of the first amendment guarantee.3 Yet my differences with Professor Baker are not insignificant. For, as I assert in my article, I believe that Baker fails to recognize the logical implications of his own fundamental assumptions.4 Professor Baker's response to my article consists of both a critique of my theory and a defense of his theory against the criticisms I made of it. In an important sense, however, the two are inextricably intertwined. Baker begins his comment by correctly noting our significant difference over the outcome in First National Bank of Boston v. Bellotti: 5 I believe it was rightly decided, whereas he believes the

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