This week, the government started the process of expanding and enforcing the definition of extremism.

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“I know it when I see it…” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart famously wrote in the obscenity case Jacobellis v. Ohio ([link removed]) . We do need to employ that approach to defining a lot of things in life. It is not, however, a sound basis for law.

Legislation should be equal, general, and certain. With more executive discretion, we move closer to arbitrary rulemaking and away from the rule of law.

I was reminded of Stewart’s notorious line when reading the government’s new definition of extremism ([link removed]) , announced this week by Michael Gove, which defines extremism as:

“...the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to: (1) negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; or (2) undermine, overturn or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights; or (3) intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve the results in (1) or (2).”

This is not as bad as it could have been. It is certainly better than some definitions floating around suggesting extremism could be defined as ‘undermining British institutions’. It is also an ‘official’ definition, not a legal one. This means it will only apply to government engagement with and funding for third parties.

The risk, as always, is in the interpretation of these terms and the expansion of their scope. The government’s ‘Prevent’ strategy will embrace the new definition, placing an immediate chilling effect on speech for those who risk scrutiny in their academic and professional lives.

The vagueness of the language makes this definition concerning. Would pro-life campaigners risk further censorship for peacefully opposing what many consider to be the ‘fundamental right and freedom’ to have an abortion? Would those who have concerns about the National Health Service find themselves labelled ‘extremists’ for questioning the ‘democratic right’ to healthcare free at the point of use? Could a campaigner calling for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights be labelled as an extremist?

I have called for the abolition of the constitutional doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty. Can I expect to spend time with Prevent explaining my aim to ‘overturn or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy’?

This may seem like a ‘slippery slope fallacy,’ but freedom of expression in the UK has been slowly eroding for decades, fuelled by the imposition of vague laws against broad categories of speech.

The aftermath of Hamas’ attack on Israel has been truly alarming. But we must not allow emergencies to be ‘the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have eroded’ by growing state power.

Harrison Griffiths

IEA Communications Officer
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** Calling All Students ([link removed]) :
Apply for the IEA’s summer programmes
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The IEA offers a wide range of programs ([link removed]) for students of all ages and levels of study. Whether you’ve just started studying A-Level Economics or you’re an undergraduate who wants to learn beyond the textbooks, our Education team has something to offer.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, read on to learn more!

Future Thought Leaders' Programme ([link removed])

The week-long program for Sixth Formers gives students an opportunity to discuss economic ideas and concepts beyond the exam curriculum. The week will include lectures, discussions, and debates with expert economists.

In the three-week program for undergraduates, students can get career advice and work on their own research project.

Applications for the Sixth Form program in July close on Friday 29th March and the deadline for undergraduate applications is Sunday 31st March.

Learn more and apply:
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6th Formers ([link removed])
Undergraduates ([link removed])
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Camp Vinson ([link removed])

The IEA, Vinson Centre, and Institute of International Monetary Research are offering 20 students a packed programme of lectures, seminars, debates, and discussions this summer.

Applications close on Friday 29th April. Learn more and apply here ([link removed]) .

IEA Latest.
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How big a problem is problem gambling? ([link removed])

Head of Lifestyle Economics Christopher Snowdon, The Critic ([link removed])

Lies, damn lies, and statistics… The claim that 1.4 million people are addicted to gambling in the UK has been debunked on multiple occasions.
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Wages figures will ‘reassure’ Bank of England, says economist ([link removed])

Economics Fellow Julian Jessop, The Daily Telegraph ([link removed])

‘Goldilocks scenario’… This week’s labour market data points to an economy that is neither running too hot nor too cold. This gives the Bank of England wider scope to cut interest rates.
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Time for Reform of Public Services ([link removed])

Communications Officer & Linda Whetstone Scholar Reem Ibrahim, BBC Politics Live ([link removed])

No magic money tree… Meaningful reform of public services is key to boosting growth and restoring fiscal balance without hiking taxes.
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How Can Economic Reform Drive Social Mobility? ([link removed])

Assistant Professor of Economics at George Mason University & IEA author Vincent Geloso, IEA YouTube ([link removed])

First, do no harm… As the latest IEA research ([link removed]) explains, red tape on housing and work have been the tallest barrier to social mobility.
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Vaping vs. Cigarettes: The Hidden Cost of Vape Tax ([link removed])

Reem Ibrahim, IEA YouTube ([link removed])

Case closed… The evidence from across the world is clear. Taxes on vaping mean more cigarette sales and more smoking.
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Budget 2024: ‘Bracket creep’ will cancel out Hunt’s modest tax cuts ([link removed])

City, University of London Economics Professor Michael Ben-Gad, IEA Blog ([link removed])

Beyond the headlines… The decision to cut National Insurance in last week’s Budget is welcome, but the benefits will not be all they seem.

Michael’s piece was referenced in the House of Lords Library’s research briefing ([link removed]) on the National Insurance cut.

IEA Insider.


** Level-Up 2024 ([link removed])
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The Objective Standard Institute is hosting its annual Level-Up conference in Atlanta, Georgia in June. Level-Up is an opportunity to participate in a wide range of lectures and discussions including world-class speakers such as Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Alex O'Connor, Max Lugavere, and many others.

If you’re 18 to 29, you can apply for an Active-Mind Scholarship ([link removed]) worth up to $1,490. Find out more and apply here ([link removed]) .


** Self-esteem: The Key to a Free Society ([link removed])
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Objectivism is a philosophy for freedom and flourishing. It posits that you must value yourself in order to value living in a free society.

At our next event, Reem Ibrahim and Objective Standard Institute Fellow Kiyah Willis will discuss why these ideas matter in the era of identity politics and nanny statism.

Date: Thursday 21st March

Time: 18:00 - 20:30

Location: 2 Lord North Street, SW1P 3LB

Kiyah Willis is an American intellectual and commentator focusing on cultural trends and their causes and consequences. Kiyah is a Fellow of the Objective Standard Institute, an organisation whose mission is to teach the rising generation about the importance of philosophy, the principles of Objectivism, and related ideas for living fully and advancing liberty. A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Kiyah worked as a data analyst before transitioning to philosophy. You can find her advocating reason, individualism, and liberty on Twitter and TikTok (@growingtotruth).
RSVP (mailto:[email protected]?subject=RSVP%3A%20IEA%2FOSI%20Self-esteem%20event&body=I%20would%20like%20to%20attend%20the%20Self-esteem%3A%20The%20Key%20to%20a%20Free%20Society%20even%20on%20Thursday%2021st%20March.)


** Food for Thought: The Ethics and Public Policy of Explainability in AI ([link removed])
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We are delighted to invite you to our next Food for Thought discussion with Dr. Carlo Cordasco on The Ethics and Public Policy of Explainability in AI vis-à-vis Human decision-making.

The event will take place on Thursday 21st March at the IEA offices in Westminster from 13.00-14.00, with doors opening at 12.30. A sandwich lunch will be provided for all attendees.
RSVP (mailto:[email protected]?subject=RSVP%3A%20Food%20for%20Thought%20lunch%20with%20Dr%20Carlo%20Cordasco&body=I%20would%20like%20to%20attend%20the%20Food%20for%20Thought%20lunch%20with%20Dr%20Carlo%20Cordasco%20on%20Thursday%2021st%20March.)
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