"Why Can't We Ever Learn?" Cycles Of Stability, Stress And Freedom Of Expression In United States History

Freedom of expression in the United States may well run in two almost parallel cycles. History shows that repressive cycles, which Fredrick Seaton Siebert discussed, are generally followed by reactive cycles in which freedom of expression expands. The question of how these cycles develop and relate to one another is discussed in the essay below. Also examined is the question of why the periods of repression of expression are better remembered than the times when freedom of expression expanded. The basic issue involved is best summarized in the question: "Why can't we ever learn?"