What Universities Owe Democracy, Ronald J. Daniels
What Universities Owe Democracy, Ronald J. Daniels
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What Universities Owe Democracy

Author: Ronald J. Daniels, Phillip Spector, Grant Shreve

Narrator: Peter Berkrot

Unabridged: 9 hr 13 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 08/09/2022


Synopsis

Universities play an indispensable role within modern democracies. But this role is often overlooked or too narrowly conceived, even by universities themselves. In What Universities Owe Democracy, Ronald J. Daniels, the president of Johns Hopkins University, argues that—at a moment when liberal democracy is endangered and more countries are heading toward autocracy than at any time in generations—it is critical for today's colleges and universities to reestablish their place in democracy.

Drawing upon fields as varied as political science, economics, history, and sociology, Daniels identifies four distinct functions of American higher education that are key to liberal democracy: social mobility, citizenship education, the stewardship of facts, and the cultivation of pluralistic, diverse communities. By examining these roles over time, Daniels explains where colleges and universities have faltered in their execution of these functions—and what they can do going forward.

Looking back on his decades of experience leading universities, Daniels offers bold prescriptions for how universities can act now to strengthen democracy. For those committed to democracy's future prospects, this book is a vital resource.

About Ronald J. Daniels

Since 2009, Ronald J. Daniels has served as the fourteenth president of Johns Hopkins University. There, he has strengthened interdisciplinary research, enhanced student access, and deepened the university's engagement with the city of Baltimore, Maryland. The coauthor of Rethinking the Welfare State: The Prospects for Government by Voucher and Rule of Law Reform and Development: Charting the Fragile Path of Progress, he is the coeditor of On Risk and Disaster: Lessons from Hurricane Katrina.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Blair

Ron Daniels’ “What Universities Owe Democracy” proposes a case for America’s public and private universities to step-up and assist liberal democracy. It’s clear that liberal democracies are under threat, in the United States and beyond. The world is seeing an increase in autocracies, a reduced toler......more

Goodreads review by Amy

Lovely blend of historical context and current challenges. American higher education has been a champion for democracy in ideals and practice since it’s existence. However, is that true today when democracy is increasingly unsteady? Really enjoyed the opportunity to hear the case for democracy but a......more

Goodreads review by Scott

Incredibly powerful. I appreciated the depth of history of how universities assumed certain responsibilities to promote democracy and constructive ideas of how to improve this from current conditions. I left feeling optimistic for the country and proud to be a JHU alumni.......more

Goodreads review by Duncan

Roles that universities play in democracy: 1. Promoting social mobility 2. Educating citizenship on democracy 3. Checking power with facts and knowledge 4. Modeling and promoting pluralism How well are they performing at these today? 1. Not good. Lack of federal funding + legacy admissions = spots going......more

Goodreads review by Julie

The core thesis of this book is that universities play a pivotal role in the success of liberal democracies. The primary author, Ron Daniels, is the president of Johns Hopkins University. Before that, he served as Provost of the University of Pennsylvania and Dean of the University of Toronto Law Sc......more