Tenured Radicals: How Politics Has Corrupted Higher Education

Tenured Radicals examines the transformation of American higher education through the lens of political activism in academia. The book focuses on changes that occurred from the 1960s through the late 1980s, with particular attention to shifts in humanities departments. Kimball analyzes specific cases of political activism among university faculty and administrators, documenting their influence on curriculum, hiring practices, and campus culture. He presents evidence from course catalogs, faculty statements, administrative policies, and academic publications to build his case about ideological capture of institutions. The book traces how traditional liberal arts education has been impacted by what Kimball terms "radical" political movements within universities. Through examination of multiple institutions and academic fields, he constructs a broad critique of changes in American higher education. This work raises fundamental questions about the purpose of higher education and the relationship between politics and scholarship in academic institutions. The tensions between traditional academic values and new social movements that Kimball identifies remain relevant to current debates about universities' roles in society.

Readers view the book as a polemic against progressive ideologies in academia. Conservative readers praise Kimball's documentation of what they see as politicized humanities departments and departure from traditional education. Multiple reviews cite specific examples he provides of curriculum changes and administrative decisions. Positive reviews appreciate: - Detailed research and extensive quotes - Clear writing style - Documentation of specific cases at universities - Historical context for academic trends Critical reviews point to: - Cherry-picked examples - Inflammatory tone - Oversimplified portrayal of complex issues - Lack of proposed solutions Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (56 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (32 ratings) One Amazon reviewer states: "Documents the decline of humanities education with precise examples." A critical Goodreads review notes: "Presents legitimate concerns but undermines them with partisan rhetoric." The book receives stronger ratings from conservative readers and lower ratings from those who identify as progressive or work in academia.

Illiberal Education by Dinesh D'Souza A critique of identity politics and political correctness in American universities during the culture wars of the late twentieth century.

The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom An examination of how moral relativism and declining academic standards have transformed higher education in the United States.

Profscam by Charles Sykes An investigation into the shift from teaching to research in universities and the impact on undergraduate education.

The University We Need by Warren Treadgold A analysis of the current state of American universities and their departure from traditional academic values.

The Diversity Delusion by Heather Mac Donald A study of how identity politics and victim culture have influenced academic standards and campus life at American universities.

📚 The book sparked significant controversy upon its 1990 release, with over 100,000 copies sold and multiple updated editions published through 2008. 🎓 Roger Kimball, the author, is the editor and publisher of The New Criterion, an influential conservative cultural review magazine founded in 1982. 🗣️ The term "tenured radical" was originally coined by Dwight Macdonald in the 1950s to describe academics who maintained radical political views while enjoying the security of tenure. 📖 The book specifically examines how feminist theory, deconstruction, and other postmodern approaches had transformed traditional humanities departments at prestigious universities like Stanford and Duke. 🏛️ The work became part of a larger 1990s debate known as the "culture wars," alongside similar critiques like Allan Bloom's "The Closing of the American Mind" and Dinesh D'Souza's "Illiberal Education."