Even Chomsky opposes politically correct theory
By Reid Ahlbeck Special to Toledo Free Press
If you wanted to sum up all contemporary liberal ideology in a single simplified term, that term would be what is known in academia as (Marxist/feminist/postmodernist) “Theory,” with a capital “T”.
For those who may still require further evidence of what is so very wrong with Theory (a.k.a. Political Correctness), “Theory's Empire: An Anthology of Dissent,” (Columbia University Press, 2005) is just one among many excellent resources.
None other than the anointed leftist icon himself, Noam Chomsky, is counted among the long list of eminent Marxist/feminist/postmodernist/postcolonial scholars (of both sexes and various ethnicities) in the humanities and social sciences who, along with a number of recognized “hard” scientists, contributed to this scathing anti-Theory anthology.
But why would a group of prominent and predominantly liberal-minded academics take such a strong stand against liberal Theory's Empire?
There are many reasons – not the least of which is the fact that despite its grandiose pretensions Theory amounts to little more than a convoluted, self-contradictory, quasi-religious, interdisciplinary mish-mash of pseudo-intellectual nonsense (see “Fashionable Nonsense: Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science”).
Moreover, as an essentially relativist and meaningless pseudo-ideology, Theory lacks what is often called true emancipatory power. It is fundamentally useless as either a personal path towards liberation or as an intellectual or socio-political tool.
As a massive political propaganda, PR, marketing and advertising machine Theory can effectively send large groups of people marching like puppets in virtually any direction. But Theory quickly withers away to meaninglessness under even the most rudimentary rational scrutiny or reasoned discourse (which it accordingly vigorously suppresses).
The ongoing academic power struggles in the University of Toledo College of Arts and Sciences represent one prime local example of the fierce “Theory (or Culture) Wars.”
Much of what now passes for higher education across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines in the aptly named “liberal arts,” amounts in fact to a publicly funded conglomeration of Theory factories (universities), mass-producing Marxist/feminist propaganda, postmodern gibberish and the indoctrination and consent of young minds.
The continued fundamentalist groupthink allegiance to Theory in the academy and in the public and political sphere is deplorable. Theory has decimated American education, politics and culture. It has suppressed free speech, terrorized business and government, devastated communities and corrupted the heart and soul of the Democratic Party.
Far from being the voice of dissent or “diversity,” Theory has become the reigning paradigm or “hegemony” of mindless totalitarian conformity and oppression on the left.
And once the Frankenstein Monster of politically correct Theory is conjured, it can (and does) turn ferociously and without warning on absolutely anyone – including women, minorities and even its own liberal leaders and creators (go ask Barack Obama, or Hillary Clinton, or former Harvard President Larry Summers). Simply put: Theory is very bad even for liberals (not to mention everyone else).
It is long past time for those with the necessary understanding, integrity, courage and influence to join together once and for all against the tyranny of Theory's Empire.