Story perspectives

Open Expression Boosts Tolerance, Study Warns Speech Risks

6/10/2026

Summary

Kramer Links Speech Tolerance

Claudia Williamson Kramer analyzed data from 609,552 people in 115 countries.
Using the Integrated Values Survey’s seven waves (1981-2022), she found societies that value open expression are more tolerant of diverse groups.
Kramer warned that speech carries risks, citing propaganda’s role in the Nazi rise and the Rwandan genocide, and proposed counter-speech, independent media, and a liberal worldview as mechanisms.

Summary

Kramer Finds Link

Kramer said the Afrobarometer survey of 48,206 respondents in 33 African nations replicated the free-speech-tolerance link using media-freedom questions.
She clarified that the observational data can only demonstrate association, not causal proof.
The study controlled for age, gender, marital status, education, employment, income, residence, religion and ideology.
Education predicted 6.4 percentage points higher tolerance for the highly educated.
Free-speech supporters were less tolerant of right-wing political extremists.

History

Historical Context

After WWII atrocities, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948; 48 states voted in favour and none against, and the drafting committee was chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt. Article 19 guaranteed freedom of expression, a right reaffirmed at 1993 World Conference on Human Rights and reflected in surveys linking speech to tolerance. The declaration frames debates on speech to curb intolerance.

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Kramer Links Speech Tolerance

Claudia Williamson Kramer analyzed data from 609,552 people in 115 countries.
Using the Integrated Values Survey’s seven waves (1981-2022), she found societies that value open expression are more tolerant of diverse groups.
Kramer warned that speech carries risks, citing propaganda’s role in the Nazi rise and the Rwandan genocide, and proposed counter-speech, independent media, and a liberal worldview as mechanisms.

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