July 29, 2023 - 3:30pm
Conservative academics are much more likely to self-censor than their liberal counterparts — but only in Western countries, a new paper has found. According to research by the Harvard Kennedy School, self-censorship is more evenly spread among conservative, moderate and liberal professors in conservative non-Western countries than it is in post-industrial Western countries, which have comparatively social liberal cultures.
In a survey based on over 100 countries, respondents were asked to classify themselves based on two ideological scales, with one ranging from socially or morally liberal to conservative and the other on economics. In non-Western countries such as China, Russia and Turkey, liberal academics represented the minority, but there was no meaningful difference in levels of self-censorship with their conservative counterparts. But, as the table below shows, in the West there is a notable 20-point jump in levels of self-censorship between socially liberal academics and socially conservative academics, who are the minority.
Self-censorship is defined as individuals voluntarily and intentionally hesitating to express their personal beliefs and opinions on controversial issues, and concealing their true views from those who may disagree. Notably, researchers found that social conservatives in the West were more likely to self-censor not only in their teaching and research, but also in social media and other public venues. Additionally, researchers found that academics were more likely to self-censor if they believed that cancel culture had worsened, heightening pressure to hew to the mainstream or perceived consensus.
Over the last few years, there has been a significant rise in the number of academics punished for free speech in the West. According to one recent report by FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression), the number of college and university scholars subjected to attempted punishment in the past three years (509) almost matches the corresponding number for the 20 years prior to 2020 (571). Separate research by the same institution found that scholars were being penalised at alarming rates for failing to adhere to liberal or progressive principles and policies at universities, such as following DEI statements and speech codes limiting hate speech.
Western countries have responded differently to the free speech crisis at schools and universities. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has appointed a “free speech czar“ to oversee a new regime intended to enshrine freedom of speech that could impose fines on higher education providers and student unions if they prevent speakers appearing without good reason.
In the US, meanwhile, Republican-led states have introduced a host of bills — 57 in 23 states — aiming to restrict the autonomy of public colleges and banning the teaching of certain material, largely in relation to race, sex and gender. Just last week, for example, the Florida Board of Education approved controversial new standards on how black history would be taught at schools, which included a line about how slaves developed skills for their personal benefit.
Join the discussion
Join like minded readers that support our journalism by becoming a paid subscriber
To join the discussion in the comments, become a paid subscriber.
Join like minded readers that support our journalism, read unlimited articles and enjoy other subscriber-only benefits.
SubscribeThis has been going on for decades. Where ya been?
“Conservative academics more likely to self-censor”
No shit
“Conservative academics more likely to self-censor”
No shit
This has been going on for decades. Where ya been?
Dissenters from the party line are bullied by the be-kind-brigade.
Dissenters from the party line are bullied by the be-kind-brigade.
From what I’ve noticed this is happening outside academia too. Any stance critical of progressive dogma is automatically seen as ‘extreme right-wing’. This may not be such a bad thing in the long run – such intolerance is usually a sign of a bad political system going through it’s death-throes.
I agree. An indication a regime is on the point of collapse.
I agree. An indication a regime is on the point of collapse.
From what I’ve noticed this is happening outside academia too. Any stance critical of progressive dogma is automatically seen as ‘extreme right-wing’. This may not be such a bad thing in the long run – such intolerance is usually a sign of a bad political system going through it’s death-throes.
In an a short essay about self censorship, the author talks about states banning certain teaching material and Florida’s new standards for teaching black history, This has nothing to do with self censorship.
In an a short essay about self censorship, the author talks about states banning certain teaching material and Florida’s new standards for teaching black history, This has nothing to do with self censorship.
Universities that penalise, or tolerate the suppression of, free speech are the equivalent of medical doctors violating the Hippocratic Oath. They should lose government financial support.
Universities that penalise, or tolerate the suppression of, free speech are the equivalent of medical doctors violating the Hippocratic Oath. They should lose government financial support.
Well, no shot, Professor Holmes….
You don’t need a weatherman to tell which way the wind blows.
Well, no shot, Professor Holmes….
You don’t need a weatherman to tell which way the wind blows.