eThe seizing of universities and controls was an early chapter in an authoritarian playbook, and was studied enthusiastically by: Viktor Orbán in Hungary. Yale fascist scholar Jason Stanley wrote in September in The Guardian that “authoritarians and one-party states are focused on universities with the aim of limiting objections.” Last month he announced that he was leaving the United States for Canada due to the political situation, particularly the fight over higher education.
Not only are universities often liberal attitudes and breeding fortresses to protest. It also constitutes one of the important institutions of civil society. They are the breakwaters of democracy. The Trump administration assumes judges and lawyers. NGO And the media: It would be amazing if the university wasn’t on the list. They embody the importance of knowledge, rationality and independent thinking.
Typically a brave comeback, Donald Trump denounced Harvard, the highest goal of his administration – “The Threat to Democracy”. The administration has attacked diversity, equity and inclusive efforts, and said it is working on the university’s failure to eradicate anti-Semitism. Most Trump’s supporters are unlikely to have problems cutting billions of dollars of public spending on wealthy elite agencies. A practical counterargument would be that much of that money would be donated to scientific and medical research, enriching the United States as a nation and benefiting a vast number of people who have never ventured near Ivy League University.
The outrageous demands of the Harvard administration include federal surveillance of hospitalizations, the dismantling of diversity programs, the end of the recruitment of study abroad “hostile to American values” and the forced employment of “diversity of perspective” staff.
Harvard chose to be praised. “Universities will not waive independence or waive constitutional rights,” writes President Alan Gerber. It is suing the government over a freeze on $2.2 billion in federal funds, part of the threat of withholding $9 billion. It encourages others to speak up. More than 150 university presidents have signed a joint letter denounced “unprecedented government overreach and political interference.”
Many point out that the world’s wealthiest university can afford to stand firm thanks to its unparalleled $53 billion donations and sympathy Billionaire Alumni. But it has the same fame and power that certainly made it a major target. It enforces it and continues with weaker institutions. It is noteworthy that Harvard University has strengthened its position after faculty, students and alumni pushed it hard and warned that concessions only encourage the administration. Columbia has acquiesced to an extraordinary demand list, but the $400 million withheld funds have yet to recover, and the administration is reportedly seeking it To expand control At university.
Whatever Harvard’s case, this is an administration that has already chosen to ignore the court’s decision. They may intensify the attack by revoking the charitable situation and closing off international students. (Many may have already concluded that studying in the US may not be worthy of a hostile immigrant environment.) But Harvard doesn’t just because it can, but because it has to. In doing so, it not only defends academic freedom, but also broadly democracy, and encourages others to do so.
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