When Did the Academy Become Illiberal? by Bret Stephens

Bret Stephens argues that universities have drifted away from their traditional liberal values—open inquiry, intellectual independence, and merit-based excellence—toward an illiberal model that prioritizes political activism, identity-based ideology, and social engineering. He contends that this shift has eroded public trust, stifled free expression, and fostered campus environments hostile to dissent, particularly in the wake of recent antisemitic incidents, and calls for a return to the university's core mission of fostering knowledge, excellence, and true academic freedom. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/2025/03/when-did-the-academy-become-illiberal/ About the Author: Bret Stephens is the editor-in-chief of Sapir. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/ Free Inquiry Audio Edition is a production of The Council for Secular Humanism and the Center for Inquiry.