What is the ratio of liberal to conservative at the average college or university in the United States? It should come as no surprise that conservatives are in dangerous short supply. Traditionally, the academy is associated with classical liberalism without making its distinction from the far left. The practice of conservativism is inherently diverse and wide ranging. Reason demands that not all conservatives in America belong to the Republican Party. It is seldom underappreciated that any aspect of tradition has potential to be associated with some form of conservativism. Time again, the far left fails to make this critical distinction. The impact of which renders intellectual irresponsibility which creates a one size fits all narrative which attributes nothing but an oversimplified idea of conservativism is. As political correctness converges with academic freedom we cannot help but to wonder where this will take critical thinking as oversimplifications assume high precedence.
Is there a silent practice of discrimination taking place against conservatives in academia? A pro-life professor that takes a stand for traditional family values risks a cruel lambasting by the far left. The latter subsequently dominates academia which has created a disproportionate schism of perspective. Conservative academics find it necessary to avoid certain topics to avoid career suicide which prevents any chance of critical dialogue. One can be academically conservative, but can such values be maintained and articulated in an environment that bleeds far left extremism? Naturally, controversial topics have a polarizing effect which is why they are best left undiscussed considering their divisiveness. Yet when issues hit too close to home, should the narrative of the minority be passively acquiesced by the majority irrespective of its ideological imperative? This reality is all too evident when the subject matter in question has little to academically offer involving research.
After all, knowledge in its rawest form is impartial, or is it? Conceptually, what will happen to the practice of conscientious objection when the far left refuses to intellectually negotiate through fair dialogue? As trends currently stand, it is necessary to poise this existential question to the academy: can the far left deliver and guarantee systems of academic impartiality in ways where its establishment abstains from imposing itself on students? Students should not be academically pressured into accepting values of the far left when pursuing an advanced education otherwise its pursuit will be reduced to ideological conditioning. Nonetheless, in all fairness, it becomes imperative to recognize that usage of the same question captures a reverse effect when placed on the other foot. This specifically concerns humanities instruction where philosophies acquire doctrinal precedence based on how belief systems respond to socio-cultural trends that shape society’s landscape.
Far too many academic resources are squandered on repurposing facts for ideological purposes which negates the inception of new knowledge. If the far left is genuinely concerned about the furtherance of human development, why not experiment with alternatives to the academy in ways where the information age can aid the acquisition of an advanced education without suffering its inflated expense?
With that another question comes to mind which gives the far left a run for its money: should the financial subsidization of academia, irrespective of its source, influence the developmental narrative of academic discourse?
Should professors be allowed the academic freedom to develop and implement curriculum without politicking by the armchair administrators of colleges and universities?
Do American Universities Discriminate Against Conservatives?
-Image is Courtesy of Adjunct Nation-