Abstract
The common subject of bar-room talk - at least in writers' bars - is whether or not newspaper editors and book publishers exercise anything that could properly be called ‘censorship’. Generally speaking, the theory in pluralist societies is that the very plurality of outlets defeats the possibility of censorship and guarantees freedom to publish. It is clear, however, that there are imperfections in even the most plural societies, especially with the intensive commercialisation of all forms of publishing in today's developed economy. Richard Kostelanetz discusses the problem and suggests a novel experiment. This article appeared previously in American PEN Centre's newsletter ‘American PEN’, and will form the preface in the author's forth coming book on literary politics in America to be published by Sheed & Ward.