The Global Decline of Academic Freedom

While conservatives moan about the liberal bias on college campuses, educators in Russia are facing a major reduction in academic freedom. Conservatives should be less concerned about political bias on American campuses and worry about the worldwide decline of cherished educational liberties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has consolidated state control over the public university system and now appoints the major administrative officials. The Russian president has been roundly criticized for repeatedly encroaching on democratic freedoms. This move is just the latest in a campaign to increase the power of his government.

Unfortunately, the current administration has not taken a strong stand against Putin’s anti-democratic initiatives. President Bush has actually praised Putin and declared that he “was able to get a sense of his soul” during a brief meeting with the Russian leader. Bush has gently prodded Putin on human rights issues, but has never publicly brought up academic freedom.

Russia isn’t the only country that has seen reductions in the freedoms enjoyed by educators. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's has declared war on liberal professors and is urging radical student activists to purge the universities. Although the stated policy of the U.S. is to promote democracy in Iran, the actual results have yielded a decline in liberty.

These are just of the examples. Conservatives love to whine about liberal bias, but there are much more serious issues in the world of academia. Around the globe, educators are having their rights taken away by oppressive governments. Currently, the Bush Administration has no organized policy to promote academic freedom. This obviously should be rethought. The free exchange of ideas is one of the most important pillars of a democratic society.