In an effort to explain what some often feel is the unexplainable, political scientists have been devising metrics to analyze those voters who cast their ballots for authoritarian candidates, to varying degrees of success. Among said metrics typically used are age, race, gender, religion, income, even psychology and child-rearing philosophy. But one in particular is divested from the rest: education.
Of the several bastions we as human society hold high above our heads in defense against authoritarianism, education is the one which may well either doom or defend us all. Though this statement is universally applicable to all those places and people who have fallen or may fall to authoritarian regimes, I feel most comfortable drawing upon that I am intimately, unfortunately familiar with: The United States.
There is a systematic educational gap in America, and in recent years, a harrowing trend towards censorship of the history we should be endeavoring desperately not to repeat. Teachers are at the bureaucratic whim of federal, state, and local policy, their ability to educate the coming generations throttled by an onslaught of restrictive bills. And beyond the public school system, the cost of a postsecondary education is skyrocketing, making the idea of simply skipping out on college altogether either attractive, or necessary.
This, however, is dangerous.
College graduates have been shown to exhibit markedly less authoritarian attitudes as compared to their non-college educated peers. Lipset elaborates, in no uncertain terms: “Education … broadens men’s outlooks, enables them to understand the need for norms of tolerance, restrains them from adhering to extremist and monistic doctrines, and increases their capacity to make rational electoral choices.” And, as brought forth by Almond and Verba, individuals with a higher education are more likely to uphold a collection of key pillars intrinsic to keeping the structure of our democracy standing. These include, but are not limited to: keeping politically informed; believing one has the capacity to influence her government; having productive political conversations with a wider range of people; and fundamentally considering others as trustworthy and helpful. Education is our defense, with which we can uphold democracy in the face of autocracy.
But by slashing access to educational resources at all levels—whether by censorship in our curriculums, No Child Left Behind-esque policies, prohibitively expensive costs of attendance, or all of the above—our ability to see past those manufactured crises and winding un-truths of would-be authoritarians is crippled. As such, there is suddenly a convenient opening for the harmless demagogue to morph into bona fide autocrat.
These chinks in American society have always existed, but the Trump administration’s plans to abolish the Department of Education entirely is an egregious leap forward; a continued attempt from the inside to thwart future opposition by limiting the ability of future generations to recognize that which must be opposed. After all, the people become easier to control, when their number one tool of resistance is barricaded away: understanding.
As we plunge into an era of uncertainty, in this great nation which was once so proudly “free,” there can appear to be few constants, and fewer avenues of resistance. But one thing is certain: By any means necessary, it is imperative to keep learning, keep teaching, and keep fighting.
Because knowledge is power.
Hi Kasey, your piece on the critical role of education in keeping democracy fortified is compelling! I agree that knowledge is power: education can cultivate political engagement, tolerance, and informed decisions. In regards to the Trump Administration’s stance on abolishing the Department of Education, it truly is a factor in democratic erosion as a lack in access to education opens more opportunities for misinformation. Education is necessary today, especially with the rising concern of authoritarian tendencies.