The American university, for decades a breeding ground for progressive thought, is undergoing a quiet but profound shift. It’s no longer simply a place of learning, but increasingly, the primary institution shaping the moral and political landscape for a generation raised outside traditional structures of faith or organized labor. This evolution, however, isn’t necessarily translating into effective progressive change, and a growing debate is emerging about whether the modern university is truly equipped to fulfill this new role.
For previous generations, the church and labor unions served as vital hubs for social justice movements. The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s, and the Sanctuary Movement of the 1980s, both drew significant strength from the infrastructure, moral clarity, and sense of community provided by religious institutions. But as attendance in churches declines and union membership dwindles, a void has emerged. Into this space has stepped the university, offering a similar sense of belonging, a framework of ethical considerations, and a platform for collective action.
This isn’t a new phenomenon – student activism has a long and storied history in the United States. However, the current situation represents a consolidation of the university’s influence. For many young people, particularly those from middle and upper-middle-class backgrounds, college is often the first environment where they are actively encouraged to see themselves as part of a community, groomed for leadership, and instilled with a specific moral code. It’s a formative experience that shapes their worldview and provides the tools – and the language – to articulate their outrage and envision alternative futures.
But the question remains: is the university good at this job? The increasing correlation between higher education and Democratic affiliation is a well-documented trend. Pew Research Center data indicates that the more education someone receives, the more likely they are to identify as a Democrat. This trend has become even more pronounced in recent election cycles, raising concerns about the political homogeneity of academic institutions.
Critics, like Roger Kimball, Peter Wood, and Chris Rufo, argue that universities have become echo chambers of progressive ideology, actively indoctrinating students with a particular worldview. Wood, in particular, contends that this isn’t limited to the classroom, but permeates every aspect of campus life, from dormitory policies to dining hall menus. The argument suggests that even students who initially hold differing views are eventually assimilated into the prevailing progressive consensus.
While the claim of outright “indoctrination” is contentious, there’s evidence to suggest a significant shift in the political leanings of university faculty. Historically, faculty members were more closely aligned with the general public in their political views. However, since the end of the 20th century, a combination of factors – including the growth of the social sciences, which tend to attract more liberal scholars – has led to a decidedly left-leaning academy. At Yale, for example, a report cited by critics found that seventy-seven percent of faculty are Democrats or lean Democratic, compared to just three percent who identify as Republican.
This hyper-politicization of higher education isn’t necessarily about changing the fundamental function of the university, according to these critics. Rather, it’s about replacing one set of doctrines with another. John McWhorter, author of “Woke Racism,” goes further, suggesting that “wokeness” has become a kind of religion on college campuses, complete with its own set of beliefs and rituals. He argues that the contemporary university functions in many ways like a church, but one that has embraced a dangerous and misguided set of principles.
The implications of this shift are far-reaching. If the university has indeed become the primary incubator for progressive movements in America, its political leanings and internal dynamics will inevitably shape the direction of those movements. The question is whether this concentration of progressive thought within the walls of academia will lead to meaningful social change, or simply reinforce existing ideological divides. The current wave of protests on college campuses, sparked by the conflict in Gaza, highlights the tensions inherent in this new dynamic, raising questions about the role of universities in fostering both intellectual inquiry and political activism.
The debate over the university’s role in shaping the moral and political landscape is likely to continue, as institutions of higher learning grapple with their evolving responsibilities and the challenges of navigating an increasingly polarized world. The future of progressive movements in America may well depend on how successfully universities can balance their traditional mission of education with their newfound role as a moral and political compass for a new generation.
