The federal government isn’t America’s only authoritarian institution | Jan-Werner Müller
Summary
The Trump administration is investigating Yale University for alleged discrimination against white and Asian students. This situation highlights concerns that some American institutions, including universities, operate in a controlling or authoritarian way, which can affect democracy.Key Facts
- Yale's leadership began negotiating with President Trump's administration over a discrimination investigation.
- Faculty, students, and alumni at Yale strongly opposed any settlement or concessions.
- Harvard has also been subject to leaks about possible concessions to the Trump administration.
- The investigation accuses these universities of discriminating against white and Asian students.
- American civil society, once seen as a defense against government overreach, may itself have authoritarian elements.
- Universities in the US often have governance structures with ultimate power held by boards or trustees, not shared with students.
- Scholars note that civil society groups are not always pro-democratic and can sometimes support anti-democratic causes.
- The structure of organizations may limit resistance to authoritarian government actions because leaders prefer stability over conflict.
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