Academic freedom and authoritarian states

Academic freedom is a sacred part of most, if not all, university faculty members' belief system. The reason - only in a setting where any and all topics can be addressed without fear of retribution, can intellectual inquiry thrive. Writing for Times Higher Education, Ellie Bothwell calls for academics in free societies to stand up to the growing threat of authoritarian politicians who are attempting to control higher education institutions. Bothwell quotes Michael Ignatieff, the president of Central European University, who said, "The British government, the American government, the French government, the Dutch government -- all of whom have free institutions inside [their nations] -- are not saying loudly and clearly enough to these authoritarian regimes: 'If you want to stay in Europe, Europe means free institutions. If you don't defend and support and sustain free institutions, you don't belong to the club.'"

The reality of academic freedom is perhaps under threat beyond emerging eastern European demagogues. There certainly are questions about academic freedom in China and in Middle Eastern authoritarian settings such as Saudi Arabia. Even U.S.A. citizens have to ask themselves if they are under threat when politicians choose language of elitism, liberal bias, and unresponsiveness to public needs to describe higher education.