“The Treason of the Intellectuals,” with Niall Ferguson | Uncommon Knowledge

The article introduces Neil Ferguson's essay on the suppression of free speech, the imposition of narrow ideologies, and the rise of anti-Semitism in German universities between the wars, drawing parallels to American universities today. It cites examples of intellectual treason, views crossing into conduct, and discusses the decline of German universities as career opportunities arose from purging Jewish professors.

Neil Ferguson traces the beginnings of his concerns with cancel culture to 10 years ago when Ayaan Hirsi Ali was disinvited from speaking at Brandeis University. He describes the unholy alliance between radical leftists and Islamists behind these campaigns. Ideological capture has progressed over 10 years from a fringe movement to the dominant ideology at major universities.

Ferguson discusses the right-leaning tendencies of German universities even before WWI. He details how the trauma of Germany's defeat led to a backlash against Jews and liberals. The Nazi party gained traction in universities in the 1920s, appealing to students and professors. Anti-Semitism became institutionalized, with Jewish professors removed from positions.

Ferguson draws an analogy to opportunists joining true Nazi believers after Hitler rose to power. He sees a similar pattern with career opportunities opening up for non-Jewish and non-conservative professors as the ideology of diversity, equity and inclusion has become dominant. This ideological capture and discrimination mirrors the institutional capture in Germany.

Ferguson argues that the Holocaust needed the sophisticated German technocratic elite to detail the mechanisms for systematic murder. He highlights the role of academics in universities producing research to justify and enable the Holocaust. This production of genocidal detail is critical in making the Third Reich distinctively capable of carrying out mass extermination.

Ferguson argues that DEI uses Orwellian newspeak - uniformity masquerading as diversity, no equity via lack of due process, and exclusion dressed up as inclusion. He traces the origins from liberal tendencies in the 1960s, to Marxist hirings in the 1970s/80s, culminating in cultural Marxists adopting identity politics after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Many Jewish liberals failed to notice their demotion down the hierarchy of oppressed groups as part of the ideological realignment on campuses. Ferguson argues that historical anti-Zionism on the left coupled with increasing Islamist representations led to coalitions targeting Jewish students and condoning terrorist attacks against Jews.

Ferguson criticizes Claudine Gay's congressional testimony falsely claiming protections of free speech on Harvard's campus. He argues that previously many professors faced consequences for their speech. Her sudden first amendment advocacy shows the speed with which university heads tried to avoid consequences.

Ferguson argues that the plagiarism was clear and repeated, not inadvertent paraphrasing. The defense of Gay after she faced questioning showed the problems originating from her appointment itself. Without fundamental governance changes, replacing presidents will not address declining standards and loss of focus on academic merit.

Ferguson advocates against greater government intervention and tax changes. He argues alumni should stop donations until institutions change. Starting new universities like the University of Austin, with constitutional protections of rights embedded in their governance, can create competition and force reform of existing universities.