Many people consider that the political system hampers freedom of speech. I think so too, but the political system is not the only factor hampering freedom of speech. There are many major factors that hamper freedom of speech too. For example, religion, culture, education, etc. In my opinion, a major factor that hampers freedom of speech is culture. Please continue to read the end of this post.
The major factor that hampers freedom of speech is culture. I remember when I was a kid, I always was afraid to argue with my father no matter whether he was right or wrong. In the US, kids argue with their parents all the time whatsoever their parents are right or wrong. At first, I thought the political system of the US nurtures freedom of speech. But I saw the different level of freedom of speech varies from family to family. For example, immigrants from eastern countries, first or second-generation immigrants often practice less than the law allow. When you see Japan and South Korea. Their governments support freedom of speech, but they often practice their freedom of speech less than in the US and other western countries. I watched movies, documentaries, and books, I saw their citizens often reluctant to criticize bosses, teachers, parents, government officials, etc. Why? Because they are influenced by Confucianism from China. You see in Vietnam, the most of Vietnamese leaders have same ages or less than one or two decades compare to my father’s ages, so their toleration of critics are influenced by culture. Because of that, they set the laws freedom of speech to fit with their toleration. You see in China, it has the same political system, but freedom of speech in China is less than Vietnam. Because China is so heavy influenced by Confucianism. For example, in Vietnam the toleration of critics of my age is better than older generation but less than younger generation. You can see around the world, the more consevative country is the less freedom of speech it has.
I don’t consider Confucianism is bad, but when people often behave based on their cultures and backgrounds. Please share and leave comments.