Word of the Day
March 22, 2021
Recourse
A source of help in a difficult situation; the right to demand compensation or assistance; a means of seeking remedy or redress.
From Old French 'recours,' from Latin 'recursus' meaning 'a running back, retreat, return,' from 're-' (back) + 'cursus' (a running, course). The legal sense of 'means of obtaining redress' developed in the 15th century.
Usage Examples
- Citizens have no legal recourse against tech platforms that censor their speech due to Section 230 immunity.
- The Constitution provides recourse against government overreach through the courts.
- When private companies partner with government to suppress speech, the people lose their traditional recourse.
From the Show
The concept of recourse emerged as central to the March 22nd broadcast as Joshua Philipp explained how Section 230 immunity strips citizens of any means to challenge big tech censorship, leaving Americans without legal remedy against the government-corporate partnership silencing their voices.