Neo-nationalism and Universities: Populists, Autocrats, and the Future of Higher Education

by John Aubrey Douglass (Editor)

Overview

The rise of neo-nationalism is having a profound and troubling impact on leading national universities and the societies they serve. This is the first comparative study of how today's right-wing populist movements and authoritarian governments are threatening higher education.

Universities have long been at the forefront of both national development and global integration. But the political and policy world in which they operate is undergoing a transition, one that is reflective of a significant change in domestic politics and international relations: a populist turn inward among a key group of nation-states, often led by demagogues, that includes China and Hong Kong, Turkey, Hungary, Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In many parts of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity for populists and autocrats to further consolidate their power. Within right-wing political ecosystems, universities, in effect, offer the proverbial canary in the coal mine—a clear window into the extent of civil liberties and the political environment and trajectory of nation-states.

In Neo-nationalism and Universities, John Aubrey Douglass provides the first significant examination of the rise of neo-nationalism and its impact on the missions, activities, behaviors, and productivity of leading national universities. Douglass presents a major comparative exploration of the role of national politics and norms in shaping the role of universities in nation-states—and vice versa. He also explores when universities are societal leaders or followers: When they are agents of social and economic change, or simply agents reinforcing and supporting an existing social and political order.

In a series of case studies, Douglass and contributors examine troubling trends that threaten the societal role of universities, including attacks on civil liberties, free speech, and the validity of science; the firing and jailing of academics; anti-immigrant rhetoric; and restrictions on visas with consequences for the mobility of academic talent. The book also offers recommendations to preserve the autonomy and academic freedom of universities and their constituents. Neo-nationalism and Universities is written for a broad public readership interested and concerned about the rise of nationalist movements, illiberal democracies, and autocratic leaders.

Contributors: José Augusto Guilhon Albuquerque, Elizabeth Balbachevsky, Thomas Brunotte, Igor Chirikov, Igor Fedyukin, Karin Fischer, Wilhelm Krull, Brendan O'Malley, Bryan E. Penprase, Marijk van der Wende

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421441863
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	09/07/2021
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.83(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

John Aubrey Douglass is a senior research fellow and research professor of public policy and higher education at the Center for Studies in Higher Education at the University of California, Berkeley. His previous books include The New Flagship University: Changing the Paradigm from Global Ranking to National Relevancy and Envisioning the Asian New Flagship University: Its Past and Vital Future.

Table of Contents

Preface. Something's Going On John Aubrey Douglass vii

1 Neo-nationalism and Universities in Historical Perspective John Aubrey Douglass 1

2 Neo-nationalism and Universities: A Conceptual Model John Aubrey Douglass 22

3 The Mystery of Brexit: Tumult and Fatigue in British Higher Education Brendan O'Malley 43

4 Trumpian Nationalism and American Universities John Aubrey Douglass 61

5 Turbulent Times: Intellectual and Institutional Challenges for Universities in Germany, Hungary, and Poland Wilhelm Krull Thomas Brunotte 92

6 Neo-nationalism in the European Union and Universities Marijk van der Wende 117

7 Turkish Academics in the Era of Erdogan Brendan O'Malley 141

8 Nationalism Revived: China's Universities under President Xi Karin Fischer 160

9 Balancing Nationalism and Globalism: Higher Education in Singapore and Hong Kong Bryan E. Penprase John Aubrey Douglass 202

10 The Role of Universities in Putin's Russia: Reinforcing the State Igor Chirikov Igoh Fedyukin 220

11 Bolsonaro's Brazilian Neo-nationalism and Universities Elizabeth Balbachevsky José Augusto Guilhon Albuquerque 239

Notes 257

Contributors 287

Index 293

What People are Saying About This

David Ward

Neo-nationalism and Universities captures the breadth of the threat that right-wing populists, demagogues, and autocrats pose to universities, to their communities of students and faculty, and to civil society and international cooperation. In an analysis of the rise of neo-nationalism based on case studies, Douglass and his colleagues outline how universities can be both responsive and influential.

Vartan Gregorian

During the past two decades, we have witnessed the rise of nationalism and populism around the world. Neo-Nationalism and Universities is a timely and welcome study of the impact of these movements on higher education, especially in the realm of academic freedom and freedom of speech. Of special value is the book's exploration of the role universities play in accommodating and providing ideological cover for authoritarian and totalitarian rule.

Pedro Nuno Teixeira

Saying that this book addresses a timely and critical issue is an understatement. Even more importantly, it presents a variety of national and comparative chapters that highlight the complexities and nuances of the national dimensions of higher education.

Steven Brint

Leading scholar John Aubrey Douglass has brought together an outstanding group of collaborators to examine one of the most disturbing trends of our time: the impact of illiberal nationalist movements on intellectual life. Under the new nationalists, the university's role as critic has declined precipitously, as has its role as impartial arbiter of truth-claims. The book employs a dispassionate analysis of authoritarian regimes to distinguish between varieties of neo-nationalism and their potential impacts, from limited constraints to severe consequences for dissent.

Christine Musselin

This illuminating book explores the return and strengthening of authoritarian regimes that is threatening discovery and new knowledge, as well as the academics who produce and diffuse it. Far from treating neo-nationalism as a monolithic wave, the contributors to this necessary book reveal its alerting and growing influence, providing a subtle and thorough analysis of the variety of its form and consequences.

Adam Nelson

This volume makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of the politics and policies of neo-nationalism in universities around the world. It will be useful to scholars of higher education, comparative education, and comparative politics, as well as higher education leaders and policy makers. Anyone concerned about the future of universities in liberal democracies should read this book.

Marcelo Knobel

Attempts to silence academics and control universities place democracy, development, and social well-being at risk. This book is an important warning for academics worldwide that democracy is fragile, and that universities must be the frontline in the battle for its protection.

From the Publisher

Neo-nationalism and Universities captures the breadth of the threat that right-wing populists, demagogues, and autocrats pose to universities, to their communities of students and faculty, and to civil society and international cooperation. In an analysis of the rise of neo-nationalism based on case studies, Douglass and his colleagues outline how universities can be both responsive and influential.
—David Ward, former President, ACE / Chancellor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin–Madison

A superb and very timely book, scholarly, original, and easy to read. I know of no other book that covers these issues in the same level of detail.
—Nick Hillman, Director, Higher Education Policy Institute

This volume makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of the politics and policies of neo-nationalism in universities around the world. It will be useful to scholars of higher education, comparative education, and comparative politics, as well as higher education leaders and policy makers. Anyone concerned about the future of universities in liberal democracies should read this book.
—Adam Nelson, University of Wisconsin–Madison, coauthor of The Global UniversityPast, Present, and Future Perspectives

In this illuminating and timely analysis, Douglass and his colleagues examine the political and cultural influences on what appears to be a rising trend toward neonationalism in universities around the world. Well informed, grounded in astute research, and revelatory in its findings and implications, this book is also clearly written and easily understood—a stimulating set of insights for any reader who cares about universities and their future.
—Daniel Fallon, University of Maryland at College Park, author of The German University: A Heroic Ideal in Conflict with the Modern World

Leading scholar John Aubrey Douglass has brought together an outstanding group of collaborators to examine one of the most disturbing trends of our time: the impact of illiberal nationalist movements on intellectual life. Under the new nationalists, the university's role as critic has declined precipitously, as has its role as impartial arbiter of truth-claims. The book employs a dispassionate analysis of authoritarian regimes to distinguish between varieties of neo-nationalism and their potential impacts, from limited constraints to severe consequences for dissent.
—Steven Brint, University of California–Riverside, author of Two Cheers for Higher Education: Why American Universities Are Stronger Than Ever—and How to Meet the Challenges They Face

This illuminating book explores the return and strengthening of authoritarian regimes that is threatening discovery and new knowledge, as well as the academics who produce and diffuse it. Far from treating neo-nationalism as a monolithic wave, the contributors to this necessary book reveal its alerting and growing influence, providing a subtle and thorough analysis of the variety of its form and consequences.
—Christine Musselin, Sciences Po / Centre national de la recherche scientifique, author of The Market for Academics

During the past two decades, we have witnessed the rise of nationalism and populism around the world. Neo-Nationalism and Universities is a timely and welcome study of the impact of these movements on higher education, especially in the realm of academic freedom and freedom of speech. Of special value is the book's exploration of the role universities play in accommodating and providing ideological cover for authoritarian and totalitarian rule.
—Vartan Gregorian, President, Carnegie Corporation of New York

The rise of neo-nationalism presents new questions about the relationships between higher education, governments, and society. It also reopens the debate on older themes, including topics (e.g. academic freedom) we hoped had been largely resolved. The contributors to this volume carefully and eloquently analyze developments in a variety of countries, with a keen eye for the various guises of neo-nationalism, the particular national contexts in which it emerged, and the important ramifications for higher education.
—Jeroen Huisman, Director, Centre for Higher Education Governance Ghent, editor of Higher Education Policy

Saying that this book addresses a timely and critical issue is an understatement. Even more importantly, it presents a variety of national and comparative chapters that highlight the complexities and nuances of the national dimensions of higher education.
—Pedro Nuno Teixeira, Director, Centre for Research in Higher Education Policies, University of Porto

Attempts to silence academics and control universities place democracy, development, and social well-being at risk. This book is an important warning for academics worldwide that democracy is fragile, and that universities must be the frontline in the battle for its protection.
—Marcelo Knobel, former Rector, University of Campinas, Brazil

13

Jeroen Huisman

The rise of neo-nationalism presents new questions about the relationships between higher education, governments, and society. It also reopens the debate on older themes, including topics (e.g. academic freedom) we hoped had been largely resolved. The contributors to this volume carefully and eloquently analyze developments in a variety of countries, with a keen eye for the various guises of neo-nationalism, the particular national contexts in which it emerged, and the important ramifications for higher education.

Maria Slowey

This brilliantly insightful, well-evidenced book by John Douglass and his international collaborators offers a unique and comprehensive analysis of contemporary tensions from a global perspective. It is not only timely and essential reading for today's researchers, policy makers, educational leaders, and engaged members of the wider public, it will stand for decades as the pivotal text on the topic.

Nick Hillman

A superb and very timely book, scholarly, original, and easy to read. I know of no other book that covers these issues in the same level of detail.

Daniel Fallon

In this illuminating and timely analysis, Douglass and his colleagues examine the political and cultural influences on what appears to be a rising trend toward neonationalism in universities around the world. Well informed, grounded in astute research, and revelatory in its findings and implications, this book is also clearly written and easily understood—a stimulating set of insights for any reader who cares about universities and their future.

Editorial Reviews

[The] points that Douglass makes...are quite illuminating....The state of US colleges and universities is to a great extent a product of and reflects the political traditions, for good and evil, and the present-day balance of political forces in our country....The essays in this collection suggest that any efforts to defend the intellectual freedom and institutional independence of scholars and the colleges and universities in which they work will fall short if they are divorced from constructive and active engagement in the political environment...
—Academe Blog

From the Publisher

[The] points that Douglass makes...are quite illuminating....The state of US colleges and universities is to a great extent a product of and reflects the political traditions, for good and evil, and the present-day balance of political forces in our country....The essays in this collection suggest that any efforts to defend the intellectual freedom and institutional independence of scholars and the colleges and universities in which they work will fall short if they are divorced from constructive and active engagement in the political environment...

Academe Blog