Arnold Kling, an economist, proposed a framework to understand the core difference between progressives and conservatives. Progressives see the world as a struggle between oppressors and the oppressed, while conservatives see it as a battle between civilization and chaos. This framework sheds light on political arguments, such as the debate over pro-Palestinian protests at universities. The protesters prioritize denouncing oppression in Gaza over maintaining order on campus.
Student protesters view the suffering in Gaza as an atrocity that demands action, comparing it to historical injustices like Jim Crow laws and apartheid. They call for university divestment from companies with ties to Israel and frame their actions as seeking justice for the oppressed. Critics, however, focus on the breakdown of order caused by the protests, pointing to violations of university rules, disruptions to normal life, and even instances of harassment and violence.
University administrators find themselves caught between prioritizing justice for the oppressed and preventing chaos. They are concerned about setting a precedent for allowing protests to disrupt campus life and stifle free speech. While sympathizing with the protesters’ concerns, they are also mindful of the need to maintain order and enforce rules. The students advocating for change could be setting a precedent for future protests on a variety of issues.
The protests continue to challenge university leaders as graduation season approaches. The leaders will need to make difficult decisions about which values to prioritize and how to navigate the competing demands of justice and order. While not everyone may accept Kling’s framework for the debate, it provides a lens through which to understand the dilemmas facing university administrators and the complexities of balancing activism with maintaining a functional community.
In other news, concerns are raised about avian flu testing and the potential for an outbreak, while a publicist to celebrities tries to keep a low profile despite her high-profile connections. Trillions of cicadas emerge after a decade of feeding on tree roots, and a tribute is paid to the late poetry critic Helen Vendler. In sports, an under-12 girls’ soccer team in England excels in a boys’ league, and the N.F.L. Draft is underway. The Miami Heat surprises the Boston Celtics with a road win, and Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy is reinstated.
The Venice Biennale opens to showcase new art, but critics raise concerns about the event’s theme of “Foreigners Everywhere,” which they feel tokenizes and pigeonholes artists. Venice also looks to limit tourism with fees on busy days. The review of the Biennale by the Times’s critic highlights the complexities of cultural representation and interpretation in the art world.
