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Overview
An informed citizenry, capable of informed participation, is one of the principles on which U.S. democracy is based, its premise represented in Constitutional principles of intellectual freedom. To what extent does participation in the political process and civic engagement require access to information representing various viewpoints and perspectives? And in turn, how do issues of race, ethnicity and culture, language, economic disparity, and geographic isolation limit such access? Mark Winston offers a cross section of individual, collective, and organizational efforts—from both ends of the political spectrum—to control information access in the hopes of protecting society from itself. Beginning with Brown v. Board of Education, he considers the roleplayed by equality of educational opportunity and agencies such as the library as essential influences on public discourse and sound decision-making.
Synopsis
An informed citizenry, capable of informed participation, is one of the principles on which U.S. democracy is based, its premise represented in Constitutional principles of intellectual freedom. To what extent does participation in the political process and civic engagement require access to information representing various viewpoints and perspectives? And in turn, how do issues of race, ethnicity and culture, language, economic disparity, and geographic isolation limit such access? Mark Winston offers a cross section of individual, collective, and organizational efforts—from both ends of the political spectrum—to control information access in the hopes of protecting society from itself. Beginning with Brown v. Board of Education, he considers the roleplayed by equality of educational opportunity and agencies such as the library as essential influences on public discourse and sound decision-making.
Editorials
From the Publisher
"…Winston opens his book by examining a pivotal case in America's history: Brown vs. Board of Education. He explains the arguments waged both for and against integration and quotes extensively from the Supreme Court's final decision. By illustrating his thesis with this trial, Winston presents a powerful argument that 'access to [quality] education is necessary for all, in contribution to and participation in society' (7) simply because informed participation is always more desirable than the alternative."
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Reference & User Services Quarterly
"Filled with references and resources, the work is a scholarly piece that might assist one doing research on access to information and education. . ."
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ARBA