In a broad sense, self-government refers to the control of one’s own affairs. In Free speech and its relation to self-government, Alexander Meiklejohn discusses the relationship between freedom of speech and self-government; he also draws a connection between self-government and democracy, arguing that self-government is the basis of democracy. Self-governing allows for each man and woman to control his or her world; to decide what path to travel, to be responsible for his or her own self. Each person has the right to do as he or she wants, as long as they follow the rules and laws outlined by the Constitution. As long as they respect the property and rights of others, they may self-govern themselves to their hearts desire.
“No idea which we have is more sane, more matter-of-fact, more immediately sensible, than that of self-government.” – Meiklejohn
What exactly does self-governing entail? The United States is often referred to as an experiment in self-government because the citizens of the country have the right to take part in the politics that govern and “control” each of our lives. We are self-governed if we regularly vote for the people who represent us; but how many of us do that? About half the country votes in the Presidential elections and even less than that vote for local governors and representatives, so are we truly self-governed? Does the concept relate to only those who take an active role in politics on every level or the country as a whole because of the fact that we are “democratic”? And are we even able to self-govern ourselves with the restrictions that are placed upon us? Meiklejohn begins his writing discussing two freedoms that are given to each citizen of the country, the freedom of property and the freedom of speech. He writes that our freedom of property is restricted and regulated by property taxes and so on; but we also have restrictions on our freedom of speech. Although by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, we are in concept able to say whatever we want, it doesn’t hold up in the real world. We simply cannot say whatever we want, especially if it is untrue, but even the truth sometimes can’t be said simply out of fear.
“The difficulties of the paradox of freedom as applied to speech may perhaps be lessened if we now examine the procedures of the traditional American town meeting. This institution is commonly, and rightly, regarded as a model by which free political procedures may be measured. It is self-government in its simplest, most obvious form.” -Meiklejohn
The basic, most simple form of Democracy, Meiklejohn argues is town meetings. Everyone can attend their local town meeting, have their voice and opinion heard, and in essence be self-governed.
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