The first collection of its kind, Dissent and the State explores the difficult challenges that face any government as it determines when to treat dissent-whether expressed in opinion or in action-as legitimate political behaviour or as an illegitimate threat to individuals and society. The essays in this collection embody a wide range of viewpoints and attitudes as they explore how various regimes (including Canada) have made the distinction between acceptable and unacceptable dissent, how they have responded to unacceptable dissent, and what the consequences of their responses have been.