Uncovering the Right on Campus

[Michael Perelman]

Chuck, this might be interesting in following the money.

Hollinger, David A. 2000. "Money and Academic Freedom Fifty Years After
McCarthyism." in P. G. Hollingsworth, ed. Unfettered Expression (Ann
Arbor): pp. 161-84.
    At the request of a friend and neighbor, an officer of the National
Chamber of Commerce -- the organization that represents the business
interests in the United States, Lewis Powell, whom Nixon later appointed
to the Supreme Court, outlined a strategic response to the perceived
liberalism of universities. Powell's response was a memo entitled, "The
Attack on American Free Enterprise System."  It summarized this "attack"
as coming from Ralph Nader, the consumer advocate, and the people who were
bombing banks, all of whom Powell linked to teachings of such university
professors as Herbert Marcuse who taught at the University of California,
San Diego.     In dealing with this attack, Powell suggested that "Big
Business" -- a term that Powell used, apparently unselfconsciously --
finance and direct a comprehensive program of cultural reform designed to
undermine and diminish the influence of "liberal" and "radical"
professors.  Powell called for several efforts by the Chamber.  First, the
Chamber should find the means of financing the work of humanities and
social science scholars with "conservative" views. These scholars would
then have a base independent from the liberal universities that were
hostile to their points of view.  Second, Big Business should establish a
network of popular speakers and media personalities who would popularize
the conservative point of view, above all through television.  Third,
business interests should try to influence the governing boards of
universities concerning the "imbalance" of the universities and the
left-leaning nature of the faculty.  Fourth, conservatives and business
interests should influence the curriculum by insisting that business
schools within universities should hire their own social scientists, and
offer their own courses on "business ethics," etc., thus insulating their
students from the liberal ideas of social science departments.
    166: Powell proposed to work through private rather than public
channels. He wanted to use more sophisticated techniques than blunt power
and the firing of radical professors.


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Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929

Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu