Marketplace of Ideas

     After thoroughly discussing the eight values of free expression with Lyndsey we have come to the conclusion that the marketplace of ideas is one of the most important values due to its reach into multiple different theories, and hot topics in politics today. When John Milton first coined the term "marketplace of ideas" the notion of it being used in accordance with determining the constitutionality of cases regarding the first amendment for years to come was unlikely- that being said it has become one of the most essential phrases thrown around during first amendment debates.


     The marketplace of ideas allows the free flow of opinions, ideas, and speech expression to create a more innovative and collaborative society that can work towards political and economic change for the betterment of all individuals in the nation. With this marketplace of ideas, the theory of promoting tolerance is also amplified because without this platform to freely share what you are thinking citizens feel they are not being heard and positive change isn't happening. Opening up a line of conversation between constituents, their peers, and their elected government representatives allow for a more collaborative creative process regarding laws and help deter an uprising or potential overthrow of the government.

     The marketplace of ideas also goes hand in hand with protecting dissent. As we spoke about in class the United States is not a democracy, but rather a representative republic and the marketplace of ideas also makes room to hear the views of all those who could vote. This includes minority groups that are often cast to the margins of society in other nations, and often still our own. Although significant change cannot always come just from these minority groups, allowing their ideas to be freely broadcasted gives them an opportunity to partner with those with more political clout than them to push change forward.

     As the intersectional identities of Americas are starting to be embraced rather than criticized, the marketplace of ideas is becoming more and more critical. With the internet taking over our everyday lives it is easy for people to find stories to go against opinions they used to take as fact, and potentially open them up to become more accepting of other groups of society. Stories of people like Frederick Douglas, Katherine Switzer, or Maya Angelou would be forgotten over history if they weren't able to share them with the world- and subsequently change the world around them forever.

Supreme

     The supreme court is the most powerful court our nation has, and the most powerful court in the world given it is held with the responsibility of interpreting and ruling on the entire constitution of the United States. Receiving more than 7000 cases yearly it is clear that the supreme court is always busy sifting through various potential groundbreaking cases like Roe vs. Wade or Marbury vs. Madison. Although some of these cases become more famous than others in an American historical context, all of them are important in creating a nation that is representative of the people and their values. The founding fathers created the supreme court to assure that our principal document could be altered to fit the zeitgeist of the time but I doubt they anticipated it would ever work so far as to give women individual political identities or legalize same-sex marriage.

     The power of the supreme court can also be seen in its ability to annul a law Congress passes if they deem it unconstitutional or any law made by a state government. Not only do they regulate state and national government, but they also regulate the powers of the president and can deem that the president's acts do not follow the law of the constitution.  Having power over virtually all areas of government gives the supreme court the most power in the nation. When an opening on the supreme court is made available the president nominates a candidate that must then be confirmed by the Senate.

     In the 230 years the Supreme Court has been around, and 114 total justices that have served on the court, only four justices have been women. Starting with the amazing Sandra Day O'Connor, the first ever female justice who was only appointed in 1981! Justice O'Connor ruled on a multitude of important cases including Planned Parenthood v. Casey that ultimately upheld  Roe v. Wade a landmark case that allowed women legal abortions. She also worked towards equality between men and women specifically in her work to allow men into a women's only nursing school. Early in her career in 1988, she was already receiving treatment for breast cancer. After beating breast cancer and retiring in 2006 O'Connor moved to Arizona where she still lives today.

     The second female supreme court justice to ever be selected is Ruth Bader Ginsberg who still serves on the court today. Appointed in 1993 specifically for her role as a social activist and political skills to deal with more conservative members of the court, Ginsberg argued six landmark cases on gender equality before the U.S. Supreme Court among other historic rulings. She advocated for the legality of same-sex marriage in all 50 states, eventually passing a national law to legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states.

     Looking into the women of the supreme court is essential to understanding how our government has changed and will continue to change in the future.