The anti-conservative activists should be seen as what they are: defenders of a worldview of privilege. I’ve never known a poor or working class person to be concerned with ‘social justice.’ The reality that modern leftism is mostly about status and class disconnection offers insights into how it can effectively be countered.
Very good news, Mr Rufo, thank you. Here again we see the rage spiral of the American Left: the future, that is, the realization of Obama’s Fundamental Transformation, was theirs, they were sure. They controlled all the words and institutions needed to guarantee it. They did not expect a resurgent American Right. Still, no time to relax our vigilance: we have much restoration to do.
Not an Iowan, but from what I've seen of her Governor Kim Reynolds is an excellent conservative politician. Sound economic and cultural views without a lot of drama. May she continue to have a leadership role in Republican politics.
Mr. Rufo, I have never posted in comments anywhere before. All I want to say is that we are lucky to have you. Thank you for what you are doing (so well).
Prouder today to have earned my PhD in Clinical Psychology from Hawkeye U. The psychology department was apolitical when I was there (1979-1982), but given the leftist leanings of most psychologists, I hope the department has not drifted in that misguided direction. Kudos for Rufo’s tireless work.
Excellent article - I am sure that these same people would like to see the Constitution & the Bill of Rights burned!!! Can you imagine if this book burning came from the mouth of a conservative? This would make the National Liberal Media machine. I see that Fahrenheit 451 is alive & well in all the liberal minds. It's a shame it isn't required reading in high school like it was when I was there. This is a fight that will be ongoing - reversing this madness is going to be extremely difficult. Thank you for this.
Very good news indeed. My only connection to Iowa over the years was a college student who worked a few years in my laboratory. He was a good biochemical technician and a wonderfully informed and kind young man, but a third generation Communist from Minneapolis. He got his degree from Grinnell.
I am very glad to see the Center for Intellectual Freedom and it is remarkable that it came to fruition. But as a former academic and academic administrator, I need to temper enthusiasm.
"...the hiring pipelines for conservative-leaning faculty are better than they have ever been, and the rise of conservative academic centers could lead to the hiring of hundreds, if not thousands, of academics with commitments to American principles."
Hiring is the first step, and it is necessary, but not sufficient. Sufficiency will only be achieved when conservative professors are granted tenure. Herein lies the ongoing problem.
Let me remind you of how a persons record (dossier) is reviewed and by whome. A dossier is reviewed first by a departmental committee, then by the chair of head of the department, next it goes to a college committee, then to the dean; then it is reviewed by a university committee and then it goes to the provost before it ends with to the President/Chancellor and the Board for approval. Those are all steps wherein a teacher/scholar with conservative proclivities may (indeed most likely will) have their case for tenure denied. In fact, given the make up of faculty in general, far left, those committees and many of the administrators (all also faculty members) are likely not to look with favor on a conservative candidate.
The second problem is this. Centers like the Center for Intellectual Freedom exist outside of the tenure-granting system. THEY DO NOT GRANT TENURE. So, they are usually the domiciles of faculty who have managed to get through the tenure system and are protected by tenure. There will be very few untenured assistant professors in these Centers because affiliation marks them for denial of tenure.
How does one get tenure as a conservative? With great difficulty and/or with subterfuge. By posing as a died-in-the-wool leftist, one can achieve tenure and, then, move to the right. That is to say, the person's scholarly outlook may "change" and "evolve". If they do this before promotion to full professor, they will probably never go beyond associate professor. Being a permanent associate professor is a dishonorable circumstance that invites being loaded with lots of extra "service" work and teaching. The permanent associate professor is permanently discredited as a "failed" scholar. The point is that is difficult for a conservative faculty member to achieve tenure.
I don't mean to seem to be pessimistic; I am just being realistic. If real change is the goal and a more fair and more balanced professoriate in the humanities is to be achieved, all that I have said must be acknowledged and overcome. Creating a few isolas of conservative thought as centers is a step in the right direction, but it is one step at the bottom of a high and steep staircase.
Good points. These issues are real and need to be addressed. Reminds me of the "bi-partisan" oversight of districting in CA. The only republicans allowed on the oversight group voted dem. This is a tough nut to crack.
I read this article grateful this is happening there and in other Universities but it still leaves me incredulous that a university actively has to develop conservative efforts. Universities (I suppose theoretically) should be the Petri dish of original thought, of debate, exchange of ideas and development of new ideas (at least to the students). As with any articles dealing with this topic I am glad I was in college in the late 70’s and despondent with the current status of the halls of higher education.
Strong piece on institutional reform. The Old Capitol symbolism isn't subtle but it works, connecting political oversight back to public universities' foundational purpose. What's intresting is how the article frames this as infrastructure building rather than just hiring, the emphasis on pipelines and academic comunities suggests a long game beyond individual appointments. The bookbinding professor moment is almost too perfect tho.
The anti-conservative activists should be seen as what they are: defenders of a worldview of privilege. I’ve never known a poor or working class person to be concerned with ‘social justice.’ The reality that modern leftism is mostly about status and class disconnection offers insights into how it can effectively be countered.
https://jmpolemic.substack.com/p/the-progressive-agenda-as-pure-class
Yes
Very good news, Mr Rufo, thank you. Here again we see the rage spiral of the American Left: the future, that is, the realization of Obama’s Fundamental Transformation, was theirs, they were sure. They controlled all the words and institutions needed to guarantee it. They did not expect a resurgent American Right. Still, no time to relax our vigilance: we have much restoration to do.
Not an Iowan, but from what I've seen of her Governor Kim Reynolds is an excellent conservative politician. Sound economic and cultural views without a lot of drama. May she continue to have a leadership role in Republican politics.
I hope she does
Thanks for all your diligent and tireless work!!! Keep the faith. Praying the momentum continues! 🙏🙏
Mr. Rufo, I have never posted in comments anywhere before. All I want to say is that we are lucky to have you. Thank you for what you are doing (so well).
Thanks!
Prouder today to have earned my PhD in Clinical Psychology from Hawkeye U. The psychology department was apolitical when I was there (1979-1982), but given the leftist leanings of most psychologists, I hope the department has not drifted in that misguided direction. Kudos for Rufo’s tireless work.
Ooh, I bet it has drifted.
Excellent article - I am sure that these same people would like to see the Constitution & the Bill of Rights burned!!! Can you imagine if this book burning came from the mouth of a conservative? This would make the National Liberal Media machine. I see that Fahrenheit 451 is alive & well in all the liberal minds. It's a shame it isn't required reading in high school like it was when I was there. This is a fight that will be ongoing - reversing this madness is going to be extremely difficult. Thank you for this.
Very good news indeed. My only connection to Iowa over the years was a college student who worked a few years in my laboratory. He was a good biochemical technician and a wonderfully informed and kind young man, but a third generation Communist from Minneapolis. He got his degree from Grinnell.
I am very glad to see the Center for Intellectual Freedom and it is remarkable that it came to fruition. But as a former academic and academic administrator, I need to temper enthusiasm.
"...the hiring pipelines for conservative-leaning faculty are better than they have ever been, and the rise of conservative academic centers could lead to the hiring of hundreds, if not thousands, of academics with commitments to American principles."
Hiring is the first step, and it is necessary, but not sufficient. Sufficiency will only be achieved when conservative professors are granted tenure. Herein lies the ongoing problem.
Let me remind you of how a persons record (dossier) is reviewed and by whome. A dossier is reviewed first by a departmental committee, then by the chair of head of the department, next it goes to a college committee, then to the dean; then it is reviewed by a university committee and then it goes to the provost before it ends with to the President/Chancellor and the Board for approval. Those are all steps wherein a teacher/scholar with conservative proclivities may (indeed most likely will) have their case for tenure denied. In fact, given the make up of faculty in general, far left, those committees and many of the administrators (all also faculty members) are likely not to look with favor on a conservative candidate.
The second problem is this. Centers like the Center for Intellectual Freedom exist outside of the tenure-granting system. THEY DO NOT GRANT TENURE. So, they are usually the domiciles of faculty who have managed to get through the tenure system and are protected by tenure. There will be very few untenured assistant professors in these Centers because affiliation marks them for denial of tenure.
How does one get tenure as a conservative? With great difficulty and/or with subterfuge. By posing as a died-in-the-wool leftist, one can achieve tenure and, then, move to the right. That is to say, the person's scholarly outlook may "change" and "evolve". If they do this before promotion to full professor, they will probably never go beyond associate professor. Being a permanent associate professor is a dishonorable circumstance that invites being loaded with lots of extra "service" work and teaching. The permanent associate professor is permanently discredited as a "failed" scholar. The point is that is difficult for a conservative faculty member to achieve tenure.
I don't mean to seem to be pessimistic; I am just being realistic. If real change is the goal and a more fair and more balanced professoriate in the humanities is to be achieved, all that I have said must be acknowledged and overcome. Creating a few isolas of conservative thought as centers is a step in the right direction, but it is one step at the bottom of a high and steep staircase.
Excellent points
We need to know what we are up against...it is a huge challenge and the "other side" is absolutely ruthless.
Good points. These issues are real and need to be addressed. Reminds me of the "bi-partisan" oversight of districting in CA. The only republicans allowed on the oversight group voted dem. This is a tough nut to crack.
I had Professor de Castro in my MBA program several years back. Outstanding.
Awesome
I read this article grateful this is happening there and in other Universities but it still leaves me incredulous that a university actively has to develop conservative efforts. Universities (I suppose theoretically) should be the Petri dish of original thought, of debate, exchange of ideas and development of new ideas (at least to the students). As with any articles dealing with this topic I am glad I was in college in the late 70’s and despondent with the current status of the halls of higher education.
Yes it’s gotten much worse since the 1970s
More universities need d ad much centers to be truly centers of higher education as opposed to offering courses on bookbinding
Qwouldn't bookbinding be in a Votech school?
It should be
Agreed
How is it possible this is an academic study?! For more than a handful of researchers in the world?
Excellent. I learned something.
Keep up the great work !
Hopefully, we will be seeing more of Gov Reynolds.
Strong piece on institutional reform. The Old Capitol symbolism isn't subtle but it works, connecting political oversight back to public universities' foundational purpose. What's intresting is how the article frames this as infrastructure building rather than just hiring, the emphasis on pipelines and academic comunities suggests a long game beyond individual appointments. The bookbinding professor moment is almost too perfect tho.