What Universities Owe Democracy

by Ronald J. Daniels, Grant Shreve (Editor), Phillip Spector (Editor)

Overview

Universities have historically been integral to democracy. What can they do to reclaim this critical role?

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421442693
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	10/05/2021
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	154,342
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.04(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Since 2009, Ronald J. Daniels has served as the 14th 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.

Grant Shreve is a senior writer in Johns Hopkins University's Office of the President.

Phillip Spector cofounded the Peter Gruber Rule of Law Clinic at Yale Law School and previously served as the vice president for strategic initiatives at Johns Hopkins University.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
1. American Dreams: Access, Mobility, Fairness
2. Free Minds: Educating Democratic Citizens
3. Hard Facts: Knowledge Creation and Checking Power
4. Purposeful Pluralism: Dialogue across Difference on Campus
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Notes
Index

What People are Saying About This

Michael R. Bloomberg

American colleges and universities are being tested like never before in their commitment to inquiry and dialogue that is as open as it is diverse. As the son of a Jewish refugee who fled Poland in 1939, Ron Daniels' insights on the essential role of colleges in a democracy ring with particular power. He offers a compelling history of the important relationship between higher education and democratic values—and a path forward to strengthen both.

Garry Kasparov

The methods to defend democracy must be taught, and What Universities Owe Democracy is our textbook.

Mellody Hobson

Ron Daniels is a pioneer. In this critically important work, he examines the systemic and systematic reforms we need to achieve equity in US higher education. There has never been a more urgent moment for change.

Jonathan R. Cole

Weaving personal history with his passion for democracy, Daniels has crafted a beautifully written story of the essential role of universities in maintaining and reinforcing fairness and justice in America. To discover the new role universities must play in the contest between liberal and illiberal ways of thought, and how institutions of higher learning need reform, read this essential book. There is no other like it.

Martha Minow

Daniels rivets attention on the obligation of universities when democracy is in global retreat and provides specific, illustrative changes needed not just to improve education and research but to tackle mounting distrust of journalism and science, and intolerance toward people with different views. Hopeful despite the clear-eyed account of profound challenges, this book is essential for any who care about the prospects for social trust, truth-seeking, and the promise of America.

Michael Ignatieff

One of America's outstanding university presidents dares to tackle what ails US higher education. His recommendations are radical, exciting, and doable. This is one of those books that will define the conversation on campuses across the country.

From the Publisher

American colleges and universities are being tested like never before in their commitment to inquiry and dialogue that is as open as it is diverse. As the son of a Jewish refugee who fled Poland in 1939, Ron Daniels' insights on the essential role of colleges in a democracy ring with particular power. He offers a compelling history of the important relationship between higher education and democratic values—and a path forward to strengthen both.
—Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies / Mayor of New York, 2002–2013

One of America's outstanding university presidents dares to tackle what ails US higher education. His recommendations are radical, exciting, and doable. This is one of those books that will define the conversation on campuses across the country.
—Michael Ignatieff, President and Rector of Central European University

Weaving personal history with his passion for democracy, Daniels has crafted a beautifully written story of the essential role of universities in maintaining and reinforcing fairness and justice in America. To discover the new role universities must play in the contest between liberal and illiberal ways of thought, and how institutions of higher learning need reform, read this essential book. There is no other like it.
—Jonathan R. Cole, author of The Great American University: Its Rise to Preeminence, Its Indispensable National Role, Why It Must Be Protected

In this timely and compelling book, Ron Daniels makes a powerful argument for the central role universities must have in ensuring the public good and fostering liberal democracy. Readers will appreciate his careful analysis, his global perspective, and his inspiring personal story, and they will come away understanding the urgency of his message.
—Freeman A. Hrabowski III, President of University of Maryland, Baltimore County / author of The Empowered University: Shared Leadership, Culture Change, and Academic Success

The methods to defend democracy must be taught, and What Universities Owe Democracy is our textbook.
—Garry Kasparov, Chairman of the Renew Democracy Initiative / former World Chess Champion

Daniels rivets attention on the obligation of universities when democracy is in global retreat and provides specific, illustrative changes needed not just to improve education and research but to tackle mounting distrust of journalism and science, and intolerance toward people with different views. Hopeful despite the clear-eyed account of profound challenges, this book is essential for any who care about the prospects for social trust, truth-seeking, and the promise of America.
—Martha Minow, author of Saving the News: Why the Constitution Calls for Government Action to Preserve Freedom of Speech

Ron Daniels is a pioneer. In this critically important work, he examines the systemic and systematic reforms we need to achieve equity in US higher education. There has never been a more urgent moment for change.
—Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO / President, Ariel Investments, LLC

Freeman A. Hrabowski III

In this timely and compelling book, Ron Daniels makes a powerful argument for the central role universities must have in ensuring the public good and fostering liberal democracy. Readers will appreciate his careful analysis, his global perspective, and his inspiring personal story, and they will come away understanding the urgency of his message.

Editorial Reviews

This is an exceptionally important, insistently reasonable, delightfully readable book.
—The New York Times

Anyone concerned with higher education's role in the public good, especially researchers and practitioners, will find [What Universities Owe Democracy] well worth the read.
—Higher Education

When the president of a major university publishes a deeply researched, closely reasoned, strongly argued powerful idea and call to the profession to respond to an urgent crisis in our national history, it is highly likely to become a classic in the literature of higher education. Ronald Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University (co-authoring with colleagues Grant Shreve and Phillip Spector), has accomplished that with this new book.
—New England Journal of Higher Education

From the Publisher

This is an exceptionally important, insistently reasonable, delightfully readable book.

The New York Times

Anyone concerned with higher education's role in the public good, especially researchers and practitioners, will find [What Universities Owe Democracy] well worth the read.

Higher Education

The fraying of democracy around the world that is the key premise of Ronald J. Daniels's important book, What Universities Owe Democracy....Daniels's book does two things that are desperately needed and that make it important reading for anyone working in or adjacent to higher education. First, it shows us how to contextualize the work we do in universities—and libraries, and as researchers and publishers....Second, it offers some direction of travel and an agenda in a moment when both feel urgently needed and in short supply.

The Scholarly Kitchen - Karin Wulf

[Daniels] offers concrete, actionable and reasonable ideas for how universities can support liberal democratic values and goals. Students of the evolution of the university will learn much from reading this book....Compelling."

Inside Higher Ed - Joshua Kim

[A] forceful argument for universities as change-makers. Daniels wants the American university and its graduates to find more ways to challenge power.

Globe and Mail - Simona Chiose

Daniels makes an important contribution to not one but two urgent and topical subjects: the weakening of American self-governance and the overall role of higher education in countering that dangerous trend. One hopes that Daniels's sterling academic reputation, and that of his institution, leads to a wide readership.

Washington Post - Mitch Daniels

Ronald J. Daniels, the president of Johns Hopkins University, makes a compelling case that American universities are failing to meet their civic duty.

Project Syndicate - Richard Hass

Daniels recognizes that the public's willingness to support higher education's democratic mission depends on universities reengaging with the nation-state....Daniels's wager is that the end is not inevitable, that universities can reassert their centrality to the American liberal democratic project. I hope he's right.

Public Books - Johann Neem

When the president of a major university publishes a deeply researched, closely reasoned, strongly argued powerful idea and call to the profession to respond to an urgent crisis in our national history, it is highly likely to become a classic in the literature of higher education. Ronald Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University (co-authoring with colleagues Grant Shreve and Phillip Spector), has accomplished that with this new book.

New England Journal of Higher Education