Arjun Appadurai on Universities, Autonomy, and the Future of Democracy
This episode examines the unprecedented attacks on universities under the Trump administration. Why do these assaults go beyond culture-war battles over the humanities and diversity to target the very foundations of scholarship and scientific research? And how are internal pressures – ranging from monetization and vocationalism to the retreat from dissent – weakening universities from within? Tune in to hear why defending the autonomy of higher education is inseparable from defending democracy itself.
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Show Notes
Our guest: Arjun Appadurai
Democracy in Question? is brought to you by:
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GLOSSARY
McCarthyism
(07:46)
McCarthyism describes a period in the early 1950s when U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin led a campaign to uncover alleged communist influence within the American government. From 1950 to 1954, McCarthy gained national attention by making sweeping accusations of subversion and disloyalty, often without credible evidence. His claims fueled widespread fear during the Cold War and resulted in many individuals losing jobs or reputations despite the lack of proof. The term has since come to signify the practice of making unsubstantiated charges, especially in a highly publicized or politically motivated way. McCarthy’s power declined after his aggressive methods were exposed during nationally televised hearings in 1954, when public opinion turned against him. Later that year, the U.S. Senate formally censured him, marking the collapse of his influence. Today, McCarthyism is remembered as a cautionary example of how fear and suspicion can undermine democratic institutions. source