I knew John Coatsworth when he was a student activist at the University of Wisconsin in the late 1960s -- He combined the best of thoughtful understanding and individual principled courage.
For this he was unfairly attacked as an "old leftist" by some of the more way out individuals in the movement at that time. His work has always been high quality -- and it has had a positive impact on the understanding of how capitalism underdeveloped third world countries. Academics in high profile jobs at elite institutions can either serve capital and the ruling institutions or fight against them. I believe John's career has attempted to liberate students from the false understanding that passes for intellectual discourse in this country. When it comes to moving from the classroom to administration, I obviously cannot speak for John (it's been many years since we've spoken) --- I can only note that when I had a chance to become chairman of my department I took it -- It reduced my time in the classroom where I was most comfortable but it gave me the opportunity to have an important role in hiring decisions and in creating an atmosphere for new members of our faculty to thrive and achieve. It gave me the opportunity to make sure there was space in my department (and the college in general) for alternative viewpoints --- something a typical mainstream economist would not even acknowledge existed! Someone once said, you would never criticize a welder who happened to be a leftist for perfecting her/his skill and being an excellent welder -- why criticize ANYONE who is a leftist for trying to be "good" and what she/he does --- Would we rather have a vicious reactionary as provost of Columbia? SInce we have not achieved the revolutionary change to turn Columbia into a "people's university" the second best is to populate as many institutions as possible with the right kind of people -- It may not be dynamic, glamorous or revolutionary -- but it might actually make some things better. My $.02.
_______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
