Reading time: 2 minutes
At our recent Budapest Lecture, Joshua Katz, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Princeton University professor, delivered a thought-provoking analysis of the challenges facing American universities. Katz explored the decline of intellectual freedom and the rise of ideological conformity, arguing that these trends threaten the core mission of higher education.
The discussion, moderated by Enikő Szakos, researcher at the Learning Institute at MCC and Head of Strategic Development at István Nemeskürty Faculty of Teacher Training at Ludovika University, focused on the current academic climate and the importance of free speech in universities.
Katz emphasized that ideological uniformity has become the norm in American universities, discouraging open debate. While past generations welcomed disagreement as part of academic discourse, today’s environment pressures students and faculty to conform, often silencing dissenting voices. He warned that universities must remain dedicated to the pursuit of truth, cautioning against the growing trend of subjective interpretations, such as the notion of “my truth.” If truth becomes purely personal and relative, he argued, it risks losing all meaning.
He also highlighted the increasing bureaucratization of higher education, stating that administrative expansion has weakened academic integrity. He pointed to declining educational standards and the growing role of political ideology in universities. Citing a recent survey at Harvard, where only 2.9% of faculty identified as conservative, Katz argued that such an imbalance stifles intellectual diversity and fosters groupthink.
Another key theme in Katz’s lecture was the difference between free speech and academic freedom. While free speech in the U.S. has legal limitations, he emphasized that universities must uphold academic freedom to ensure genuine intellectual inquiry. Without it, the very purpose of higher education is at risk.
When asked whether merely discussing these issues is enough, Katz urged action. He called for greater intellectual diversity, reduced political interference, and strong opposition to censorship. To preserve academic excellence and freedom, he argued, universities must resist ideological pressure and recommit to critical thinking and open discourse.
