The Chilling Effect of SLAPPs: Legal Risk and Attitudes Toward Political Involvement, 1993

Item

Identifier: M204.0024.0002.00001

Staff Only

Abstract

SLAPPs, or "Strategic Lawsuits Against Pubic Participation," refer to the unconstitutional use of civil litigation as a tool to eliminate opposition in public policy debates. This paper looks at the chilling effect of SLAPPs on the encouragement that activists who know about SPLAPPS would giver others interested in becoming politically involved. Factorial survey data (vignette studies) suggest that SLAPP-savvy activists would advise other citizzens against speaking out. The results emphasize that the risk of a lawsuit for speaking out is a formidable barrier to open political espression. The evidence is discussed in terms of the importance of social support and encouragement in promoting political involvement and as a specific example of anti-democratic tendencies in highly differentiated societies.

Dates

Publication: 1993

Creator

Canan, Penelope, 1946- (Person)

Extent

1 Volumes : pages 347-369 ; 23 cm

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The SLAPP collection at the University of Denver includes are materials describing the nature of a SLAPP lawsuit, research materials on SLAPP lawsuits throughout the United States, and research on possible future subjects of lawsuits.