Democracy and higher education have a positive relationship. The growth of universities in the United States coincided with the country becoming more democratic. While the early colleges were founded in British colonies under a monarchy, the emphasis on research, teaching, and educating the whole student flourished as democracy took hold. Despite the stain of slavery, the Civil War paved the way for Black people to have access to education, including at colleges.
The exclusion of women from higher education began to break down towards the end of the 19th century. As women gained the right to vote with the 19th Amendment in 1920, women’s colleges and public universities started enrolling female students. Over time, educational institutions recognized that barriers such as white supremacy and patriarchy hindered learning by limiting the subjects that could be studied and excluding certain individuals from research and teaching.
The evolution of colleges from clergy training centers to institutions aimed at educating the broader population was significant. By the late 19th century, the research university model emerged, promoting specialized investigation in various fields. Professors valued academic freedom as it allowed them to explore topics without external constraints or censorship. This freedom also created a space for students to engage in open discussions and explore ideas without fear of repression.
While accusations of bias and indoctrination in the classroom have surfaced, colleges rely on the professionalism of their faculty to address such issues internally. Constructive feedback mechanisms enable professors to adapt their teaching methods. External interference in the form of governmental oversight could threaten the autonomy and quality of education.
However, current attacks on educational autonomy and democratic principles are concerning. Populist authoritarianism poses a direct threat to higher education and democracy. Calls to remake higher education in a particular image or view it as an enemy undermine the core values of academic freedom and inquiry.
Education plays a vital role in fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. It equips individuals with skills for the workforce and nurtures habits of inquiry and independent thought essential for democratic citizenship. During times of societal change, education faces pressure to adapt, but combatting fear and prejudice is crucial in upholding the freedom to learn together.
In the United States, the symbiotic relationship between education and democracy must be preserved. Rejecting ignorance and defending the freedom to learn in educational institutions are essential for advancing the democratic experiment and striving towards a more perfect union.