This book is a 'follow-up' of a book that appeared in 2011 in Dutch. That year saw the trial of Geert Wilders, parliamentarian and party leader of one of the largest political parties in The Netherlands. Central questions were: Should a parliamentarian be allowed more freedom of expression than an 'ordinary citizen'? How should 'group insult' and 'incitement to hatred and discrimination' be interpreted? What is the significance of the European Convention on Human Rights for freedom of speech? Is there a tension between freedom of speech de iure and de facto? These questions have lost none of their importance and topicality, especially not since the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo. The Wilders case is merely a symptom of a larger development at the European level: the rise of nationalistic and populist politicians who willingly confront the limits of freedom of speech in the discussion about the immigration and integration of aliens and refugees. At the same time, radicalized Muslims increasingly make use of modern media to glorify Jihad and other acts of violence. These developments necessitate a closer reflection of freedom of speech. In addition, the theoretical aspects of the relation between freedom of speech and democracy are given ample attention. *** Librarians: ebook available on ProQuest and EBSCO [Subject: Constitutional Law, Human Rights Law, Legal Theory, European Law]

This book examines fundamental questions about funding for the arts: why should governments provide funding for the arts? What do the arts contribute to daily life? Do artists and their publics have a social responsibility? Challenging questionable assumptions about the state, the arts and a democratic society, Lambert Zuidervaart presents a vigorous case for government funding, based on crucial contributions the arts make to civil society. He argues that the arts contribute to democratic communication and a social economy, fostering the critical and creative dialogue that a democratic society needs. Informed by the author's experience leading a non-profit arts organisation as well as his expertise in the arts, humanities and social sciences, this book proposes an entirely new conception of the public role of art with wide-ranging implications for education, politics and cultural policy.

"Bloodied toy soldiers, gilded shopping carts, and Lego concentration camps. Contemporary art is supposed to be a realm of freedom where artists shock, break taboos, and switch between confronting viewers with works of great profundity and jaw-dropping triviality. But away from shock tactics in the gallery, there are many unanswered questions. What is contemporary about contemporary art? What effect do politics and big business have on art? And who really runs the art world?" "Previously published as Art Incorporated, this controversial and witty Very Short Introduction is an exploration of the global art scene that will change the way you see contemporary art."--BOOK JACKET.