Dominique J. Baker, University of Delaware, writing in Inside Higher Education: “Dictators and autocrats have a love-hate relationship with higher education. Their actions show keen insight into the cultural power of colleges and universities, which they often wield to suit their own needs. Jason Stanley, an expert on authoritarianism and fascism, notes that authoritarians focus on culture because higher education is a haven for ‘critique and dissent.’ Authoritarian governments may use the institution’s finances, most often its funding, to force it to do what they want, but the economics are the means, not the goal.” Read more here.

Cover graphic courtesy of The Chronicle of Higher Education