Kirsty McHenry | With this government, critical engagement and political activism must be defended
The stereotypical image of the self-righteous, politically active student has become an icon of university institutions, writes Kirsty McHenry. And this image is used by the PVV to justify major cuts to higher education. “It’s with this sentiment that I believe the politicians behind the policy reveal their marked misunderstanding of the purpose of (higher) education.”
University campuses have long been portrayed as breeding grounds of social disruption, places where naïve youngsters transition into contentious dissidents. Moreover, the stereotypical image of the self-righteous, politically active student – whether it’s regarded as endearing or exasperating – has essentially become an icon of university institutions. It’s this icon that PVV (and the greater, albeit quieter, government coalition) are, in part, using to justify the dramatic budget cuts that have been made to higher education.
While definitely not the only reason for the cuts, the desire to bring an end to a time when “political activism has taken precedence over academic integrity”, as Reinder Blaauw put it, is a significant driver behind the government’s actions. Blaauw, an member of Parliament and member of PVV, explained that the cuts were designed to make educational institutions “rethink their priorities” as they would now have to decide between having “political activism on the menu or sound teaching and research”. It’s with this sentiment that I believe the politicians behind the policy reveal their marked misunderstanding of the purpose of (higher) education. It’s essential that research is challenged, and learning put into practice. Afterall, knowledge is worthless without application. And without action, education means nothing.
Blaauw’s suggestion that activism is a threat to academic integrity is ironic given that it’s his party’s government that has chosen to slash funds to research and science (limiting researchers in doing so and potentially forcing them to cut corners). Additionally, the assumption that political activism exists in opposition to education is deeply misleading. Although demonstrations in recent months have focused on disrupting the normal functioning of the university, this has been done with the intent to draw attention to its ties with Israeli institutions. The activism aims – among other critical things – to improve the ethical integrity of the UvA, not impair it.
It’s no coincidence that socially disruptive movements regularly find a voice among students; it’s at university that many students first interact with the theory that they will later use as the foundation for their demands. That said, in the case of Palestine, these interactions may more commonly happen outside of the classroom than in it. In the face of student activism like that at the UvA, there’s often an insistence that the political engagement of young people can be endorsed, and even admired, when it stays within the confines of an orderly and well-behaved demonstration. However, this ignores the major theory behind much of the activism that is being performed (as well as the history of most successful protest movements). If activism is not disruptive, or does not carry the threat of disruption, than it typically won’t be effective either.
It’s obvious that reactionary politicians like Blaauw have little real interest in the quality of education or the integrity of research, instead endeavouring to tread the line between anti-activist rhetoric and anti-intellectual political policy. However, the cuts to higher education should not be brushed aside as just another conservative budget adjustment. These cuts and the ideological rationale behind them, along with the government’s antagonistic approach to political activism, are symptomatic of an increasingly repressive political environment. The kind of environment in which critical engagement and resolute political activism should be defended. Fortunately, the continued presence of a disruptive student body – and, by extension, a disruptive public – is a reassuring sign that the nation has indeed been paying attention in class.
