Dissenters, Radicals, Heretics and Blasphemers

This new book also shows how a proud tradition of opposition in the face of abuse of power, repression, oppression or simply inertia of the part of the state has, ultimately, led to many positive changes. Sometimes these quite legitimate outcomes might not have been achieved but for the actions of the few, those who were prepared to stand out against such things as injustice, inequality, corruption, state-sponsored villainy or worse. This book also demonstrates how at different times in British history the state has reacted in different ways to perceived 'trouble causers', including in some instances by the use of extreme forms of violence, censorship and punishments. From the often questionable incidents of the past to the sometimes dubious workings of modern-day mechanisms for dealing with various forms of dissatisfaction, John Hostettler provides a first-rate account of such key matters as proportionality, citizen's rights, democratic processes and the ways in which these have been achieved or protected over the years. He also shows how the law itself has developed to protect people and to ensure public safety.

John Hostettler is one of the UK's most acclaimed authors on English legal history and legal biography, whose works span a wide range of related topics. He was a practising solicitor in London for thirty-five years as well as undertaking political and civil liberties cases in Nigeria, Germany and Aden. His earlier books include several biographical and historical works and his books for Waterside Press include: Champions of the Rule of Law (2011); and Sir William Garrow (2010).