On the Brooks piece in the Times today, I read it early this morning and knew you would post it. Chortling. I've been on the go today so just now back at the computer.
What Brooks has tapped is what you've seen as well, which is that the belief exists. As to how prevalent the phenomenon is, that's another question. There are two variables: first is a definitional one, just what is "conservative" or "right wing." And, second, which fields in which schools. We all know certain schools are "reliably" conservative in certain fields. The University of Chicago is only the most notorious.
If the point of the piece is to say that there are not a helluva lot of Newt Gringrich or Tom DeLay supporters in the academy, then he's right for two reasons: there's precious little overt campaign button wearing, it's a little uncool; and second, neither are considered reasonably serious political thinkers. If, however, he thinks that John McCain would not have gotten a sizeable number of votes from faculty members had he been Al Gore's opponent in 00, then he misunderstands. And, finally, if he thinks there is a pattern of overt discrimination on political grounds, then he is mistaken. Whatever Harvey Mansfeld thinks.
There is a long post in my head but I'll skip it. We've had these discussions; Brooks doesn't bring new information to the table so far as I'm concerned; so it's just one of those things we'll agree to disagree about. |
