Authority against intelligence 04/1925/19

Since its Middle Ages, universities have emerged with the aim of generating and sharing knowledge, as well as to enhance advanced learning. The first in history, which was Bologna, in Italy – was signed in 1088 – Oxford, Paris, Cambridge and Samananka.

The oldest university in the United States – and one of the most successful – is Harvard University, which was founded in 1639, which was born even before the American Union itself. His country has awarded 161 Nobel Awards, and his classroom graduated eight American presidents.

Harvard University has become news in recent days because of Donald Trump It requires changes to the institution to justify the investment of federal funds. Among the requirements of the White House: The “hostile” students’ condemnation of the federal government to the values ​​of the United States; Ensuring that each academic department has a “diversity of opinions”; In addition to renting an external entity approved by the government to audit programs and departments “, most of which encourage anti -Semitic harassment.”

Given the Foundation’s refusal to allow interference in his required academic life, the president ordered the freezing of more than a billion dollars of money. Looking at this Alan GarperThe President of Harvard University expressed his rejection of these demands and said that the university will not resign from its independence or freedom of expression, which is covered by the first constitutional amendment.

barrage Trump It is not exclusive for Harvard, and they were victims of revenge, Columbia University, Princeton University, as well as the Massachusetts Institute.

It should be known to be in the United States, universities enjoy a federal income tax. However, there is a risk of canceling this tax benefit if these entities participate in political activities or leave the purposes specified in their laws.

Throughout history, education has been an area of ​​conflict between the established force and the liberal aspirations of societies. On the one hand, Power has always sought to control the educational narration to perpetuate the hegemony structures, and on the other hand, academic institutions fought because education is a means of critical and scientific thought, as well as a worker generating social change.

Today a bet Trump It is the seizure of academic freedom. American journalist Ann Abbom, in her book Democracy and seduction of tyrannyHe says that those who rule this trend aspire to implement forced education; Absolute control over every culture and attracting journalism, sports, literature and arts.

Today, the struggle for autonomy and the independence of universities involves defending the right to generate and transfer knowledge, as well as implement educational activities freely and without fear of revenge. In addition, academic freedom is also considering the right of society and university societies to receive information, knowledge and opinions produced inside and outside its own environment.

It seems that both universities and independent media are the Valladares that can stop the irrationality in the measures imposed by the American President, which aim to destroy the ideal democracy of their nation.

like The natural result words PlatoFrom: “I was afraid of the wrong words and boasting of Demagog, because democracy cannot be more than the starting point on the road to tyranny.”