Harvard professor Steve Levitsky has spent decades studying democracies and how they fail. He's now raising alarm bells over what he sees as a slide toward autocracy under President Trump.
  • kreskin@lemmy.world
    12·
    2 days ago

    When the far right came knocking, Harvard made Columbia look pretty cowardly and unworthy of any prestige. Columbia should lose its “ivy league” title for good.

    Good for Harvard leadership.

  • ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org
    9813·
    3 days ago

    Their pressure seems to have helped Harvard President Alan Garber stand up to Trump

    No: what helps Harvard stand up to Trump is that Harvard is loaded. The University of Bumfuck Nowhere will immediately cave in to Trump’s authoritarian nonsense to maintain their federal funding and their tax-exempt status. Harvard can afford to do without them.

    In other words, I’m glad Harvard is resisting. But this is yet another example of rich-man-can-do.

    • deranger@sh.itjust.works
      421·
      3 days ago

      Is the better option that rich man do nothing?

      You’re not wrong that the money helps but someone also has to do the convincing part. They both help.

      • ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org
        205·
        3 days ago

        I agree. It’s just that resistance should be uplifting, and seeing that, once again, only the rich have the means to resist is depressing AF.

        • deranger@sh.itjust.works
          22·
          3 days ago

          I believe those with more resources have more options to resist; this has always been the case. However, they don’t have all of the means.

          I don’t think doomerism like this does anything but demoralize. It’s better than them going along with the bullshit. It’s gotta start somewhere, and it’s going to start with those who have the resources to resist.

          • courageousstep@lemm.eeEnglish
            7·
            3 days ago

            I think that it’s similar to the idea that anti-racism needs to start with white people.

            White people have the social capital to stay safe while protesting—thus able to further the cause for longer—and the subjugation starts with white people so they have a responsibility to start the movement.

            Rich people have the economic capital to stay safe while protesting—thus able to further the cause for longer—and the subjugation originates with rich people so they have a responsibility to start the movement.

      • SreudianFlip@sh.itjust.works
        2·
        3 days ago

        I think the statement you are responding to is not prescriptive, but that the situation needs to be described accurately.

        Edit: your edit is an improvement, thanks.

        • deranger@sh.itjust.works
          21·
          3 days ago

          I don’t believe “he helped Harvard stand up to Trump” is inaccurate. Yes, those with more resources can do more. Has this ever not been the case?

    • ifGoingToCrashDont@lemmy.world
      31·
      3 days ago

      Dude Harvard didn’t even stand up to defend their own president Claudine Gay when she needed their backing. They were dead silent during trumps first term when this same shit was going on. It’s not just the money. They will literally sit on their asses and say nothing unless they are pushed.

    • TheDuffmaster@lemmy.world
      7·
      3 days ago

      Weren’t other also billion dollar endowment colleges caving? Like Columbia University. I would think that would make Harvard an outlier here, unless we consider Harvard to have fuck you endowment money vs the others.

  • altphoto@lemmy.today
    18·
    3 days ago

    You and I can scream all we want. Screw us. But this guy, he’s special, if he says Trump is stupid then it must be true. Nah, I see how it is. Go ahead and listen to Mr know it all.