TY - THES AB - This paper explores the intellectual, political, and economic dynamics that led to one of the most significant events in the history of the press: the demise of the Licensing Act in 1695. It argues that the downfall of the Licensing Act in 1695 was primarily driven not by shifts in arguments but by transformations in the political economy and structure, which facilitated a more favorable reception of longstanding arguments and information. The most significant changes in the political economy that altered the perception of press regulations were the shifting views on the Crown's authority to grant exclusive economic privileges and the establishment of public credit institutions, such as the Bank of England, after 1694. These institutions relied on government transparency and the freer and broader dissemination of reliable information. Consequently, the restraints imposed by the Licensing Act became more detrimental than advantageous, rendering long-standing intellectual arguments against press restraints more favorably received. AD - University of Chicago AU - Kazan, Can DA - 2023-08 DO - 10.6082/uchicago.7153 DO - doi ED - Adrian Johns ED - David Cantor-Echols ID - 7153 KW - Printing Act KW - Licensing Act KW - Press KW - Press Freedoms KW - L’Estrange KW - Locke KW - Milton KW - Blount KW - Bank of England L1 - https://knowledge.uchicago.edu/record/7153/files/Liberating%20the%20Press%2C%20Thesis.pdf L2 - https://knowledge.uchicago.edu/record/7153/files/Liberating%20the%20Press%2C%20Thesis.pdf L4 - https://knowledge.uchicago.edu/record/7153/files/Liberating%20the%20Press%2C%20Thesis.pdf LA - eng LK - https://knowledge.uchicago.edu/record/7153/files/Liberating%20the%20Press%2C%20Thesis.pdf N2 - This paper explores the intellectual, political, and economic dynamics that led to one of the most significant events in the history of the press: the demise of the Licensing Act in 1695. It argues that the downfall of the Licensing Act in 1695 was primarily driven not by shifts in arguments but by transformations in the political economy and structure, which facilitated a more favorable reception of longstanding arguments and information. The most significant changes in the political economy that altered the perception of press regulations were the shifting views on the Crown's authority to grant exclusive economic privileges and the establishment of public credit institutions, such as the Bank of England, after 1694. These institutions relied on government transparency and the freer and broader dissemination of reliable information. Consequently, the restraints imposed by the Licensing Act became more detrimental than advantageous, rendering long-standing intellectual arguments against press restraints more favorably received. PB - University of Chicago PY - 2023-08 T1 - Liberating the Press: The Political Economy and Intellectual Forces Behind the Demise of the Licensing Act TI - Liberating the Press: The Political Economy and Intellectual Forces Behind the Demise of the Licensing Act UR - https://knowledge.uchicago.edu/record/7153/files/Liberating%20the%20Press%2C%20Thesis.pdf Y1 - 2023-08 ER -