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