Topic: Politicization

The Limits of Free-Speech Dogma: Questioning Decades-Old Conservative Wisdom

Sep 15, 2021 · · Comments Off on The Limits of Free-Speech Dogma: Questioning Decades-Old Conservative Wisdom

“My most ‘illiberal’ claim is that all societies necessarily have standards. Even the freest of speech regimes has limits.” This is the claim of Michael Knowles in Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds, a fascinating new book that attempts to do away with some common conservative dogmas, and raises important questions about free speech, liberty, and … Continue reading “The Limits of Free-Speech Dogma: Questioning Decades-Old Conservative Wisdom”

The Higher Education Battle in Idaho: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Smokescreens 

Sep 10, 2021 · · Comments Off on The Higher Education Battle in Idaho: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Smokescreens 

We are living in an era of unprecedented pressure for ideological conformity within institutions of higher education. Idaho’s Legislature has led the way toward reforming public universities through budgetary controls. Lawmakers were awakened to the need for reform by in-depth reports, which led to the House calling for a $4 million budget reduction at the … Continue reading “The Higher Education Battle in Idaho: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Smokescreens “

Math Teachers are Taught that Elementary Math Education is a “Struggle for Justice”

Sep 8, 2021 · · Comments Off on Math Teachers are Taught that Elementary Math Education is a “Struggle for Justice”

Does the average person have any idea what is now considered “normal” in the field of K-12 education? I already had some misgivings after reading Jay Schalin’s devastating review of the curricula in education schools: The Politicization of University Schools of Education: The Long March through the Education Schools. Nevertheless, I was unprepared for what … Continue reading “Math Teachers are Taught that Elementary Math Education is a “Struggle for Justice””

Oklahoma University Thumbs its Nose at Oklahomans — With ‘So Few Repercussions’

Sep 1, 2021 · · Comments Off on Oklahoma University Thumbs its Nose at Oklahomans — With ‘So Few Repercussions’

“I don’t understand how a state as red as Oklahoma can have such an obsessively woke state university with so few repercussions,” law professor and New York Post columnist Glenn Reynolds recently marveled. He’s not alone. I don’t understand it, either. Nor do many Oklahoma taxpayers I’ve talked to. The question is whether OU’s regents will … Continue reading “Oklahoma University Thumbs its Nose at Oklahomans — With ‘So Few Repercussions’”

Academic Freedom and Tenure: It’s More Complicated Than People Think

Aug 30, 2021 · · Comments Off on Academic Freedom and Tenure: It’s More Complicated Than People Think

This essay is based on a talk given by Professor Munger at a Martin Center luncheon on July 15, 2021. What is academic freedom, and who has it? The question is raised by the recent controversy sparked by a process that is usually boring and bureaucratic: an academic tenure case. Nikole Hannah-Jones, Hussman School of … Continue reading “Academic Freedom and Tenure: It’s More Complicated Than People Think”

Federal Bill May Bolster Campus Free Speech, But Will it Go Anywhere?

Aug 27, 2021 · · Comments Off on Federal Bill May Bolster Campus Free Speech, But Will it Go Anywhere?

In recent years, American universities have come under fire for frequent mistreatment of speech on their campuses. Often, this mistreatment is a result of restrictive or ill-defined speech codes—policies that stifle any speech that would otherwise be protected in general society. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has found in their annual speech … Continue reading “Federal Bill May Bolster Campus Free Speech, But Will it Go Anywhere?”

Asian Americans Debunk Critical Race Theory

Aug 25, 2021 · · Comments Off on Asian Americans Debunk Critical Race Theory

Over the past several months, critical race theory (CRT) has become one of the most divisive topics in higher education and in America’s political dialogue. Mainstream liberals have framed the issue as simply a matter of teaching accurate history. In their eyes, teaching CRT in the classroom is equivalent to teaching that slavery existed, Black … Continue reading “Asian Americans Debunk Critical Race Theory”

Do Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offices Achieve Their Stated Goals?

Aug 23, 2021 · · Comments Off on Do Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offices Achieve Their Stated Goals?

As Oscar Wilde tells us, “Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess.” This is especially true of bureaucracies on college campuses. Once their seeds are planted, their growth often continues without check. Administrative offices have been growing on college campuses since the 1980s, undoubtedly contributing to the increasing cost of a degree. Besides … Continue reading “Do Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offices Achieve Their Stated Goals?”

The Fight over Critical Race Theory in Education: A Fight for Our National Survival

Aug 18, 2021 · · Comments Off on The Fight over Critical Race Theory in Education: A Fight for Our National Survival

Editor’s note: The following article was originally published at Legal Insurrection on August 8, 2021. On July 29, 2021, I gave a presentation on “Fighting Smart Against Critical Race Theory In Education” to over 100 state legislators at the American Legislative Exchange Council annual meeting in Salt Lake City. The invitation to speak grew out of the publicity generated … Continue reading “The Fight over Critical Race Theory in Education: A Fight for Our National Survival”

Renewing the University: A Pro/Con of Proposals

Aug 16, 2021 · · Comments Off on Renewing the University: A Pro/Con of Proposals

Conservative thinkers are mostly united on the need for reforming the American college system, but they’re divided on how to do it. It can be hard to pin down, exactly, what is to be done, as the Martin Center has previously reported.  So it may be worthwhile to step back and look at what proposals … Continue reading “Renewing the University: A Pro/Con of Proposals”