THE SOAPBOX Volume II Issue II April 2006
THE AGE OF APATHY
Page 3 Politics in the Classroom 2 Every Man, a Revolutionary? 6 A Letter Sent Home 7 The Game of Resignation 8 Interview with John Dilulio 9 Cover photo by: Alia Ra
http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~soapbox The Soapbox, Volume II, Issue II, April 2006 Page 1 The Soapbox Letter From the Editor Board of Editors
very nation around the world has its own personality Erica Lederman...... Executive Editor regarding political interest and activism. Corrupt govern- Neha Kamani...... Assistant Editor Ement ofcials create distrust in some countries, while in Emily Chang...... Co-Productions Manager others it is a struggle to simply commute to work without encoun- Jae Han...... Co-Productions Manager tering political protests on the street. The fascinating observation Alicia Puglionesi...... Illustrations Editor that is made in today’s world is the disparity between political inter- Brandon Paroly...... Secretary est and political apathy in the world’s various pockets of wealth and Samantha Zuckerman...SAC Rep./Treasurer poverty. Lea Artis...... Publicity Director Matt Wolf...... Webmaster How many of your classmates do not know who Samuel Alito is, or Daniel Sun...... ’07 in which city the last G8 summit meeting was held? More impor- Michael Liberson...... ’07 tantly, how does this knowledge - or lack thereof - affect their daily Kevin Pang...... ’07 lives? Is it a blessing to be able to turn a blind eye to the compli- Megan Peppel...... ’07 cated sufferings in the world? Alexander Sulyevich...... ’09
In The Soapbox’s fourth issue, we approach these questions with In This Issue: an open mind. Our goal is to spark debate and make people think about the reverberations of political events. We welcome any and Brandon Paroly ([email protected]) all criticisms or comments regarding the articles published. Refer Samantha Zuckerman ([email protected]) to our website for the letters we have received in the past regarding Alexander Sulyevich ([email protected]) such sensitive and controversial topics as the role of the Modern Jae Han ([email protected]) Muslim in combating terrorism. Megan Peppel ([email protected]) Kevin Pang ([email protected]) Brian Levy ([email protected]) In an academic environment - especially one as culturally and intel- Alicia Puglionesi ([email protected]) lectually diverse as that found at Penn - there is always a new opin- ion to listen to and learn from. All that The Soapbox asks of its readers is to consider the various perspectives of every story with Copyright 2006 The Soapbox. It is forbidden to make equal respect. any reproductions, in whole or in part, without the express consent of The Soapbox.
The Soapbox gratefully acknowledges the fol- lowing sponsors:
Erica Lederman Executive Editor, SAS ’07
The Soapbox is an independent student publication of the University of Pennsylva- nia. We strive to provide a balanced and non-partisan publication that critically examines relevant social, economic, and political issues. All articles are chosen by a Board of Editors based on argumentative merit and relevance. All opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not in anyway reect the opinions or the endorsement of the Editors. The Soapbox, Volume II, Issue II, April 2006 Page 2
Politics in the Classroom?
By: Brandon Paroly and Samantha Zuckerman
Akash Barot ’09 David Szerlip ’08 My Bio professor degrades everyone who does not believe in If it is a science classroom with a teacher rambling on evolution, and as someone who does believe in evolution, it’s about the War in Iraq, I’d be very upset. But if I were in really funny to hear his view, but he actually said, “if you an international relations course, and the professor is using don’t believe in evolution you should get out of this classroom theory from class to say that the War in Iraq was a bad idea right now.” But other than that, I’m pretty much taking science with a liberal bias, I wouldn’t really care. courses with no politics.
Jennifer Bronson ’08 Maria Lati ’09 I’m an Urban Studies major, so a lot of professors I don’t like it when professors say their own opinion in talk about politics in the classroom. I guess it’s ok, class, but it’s good to know what they think, it makes but it would be hard for you if you weren’t liberal. you think about what you’re supposed to write in your composition, are you supposed to go with their thoughts, or just be objective, or just right what you think. The Soapbox, Volume II, Issue II, April 2006 Page 3
How Political Apathy Is Destroying America
By: Alexander Sulyevich simply wrong; they are contrib- [email protected] uting to a whole host of social ills towards which no one, as igno- othing warms my heart rant as they may be, can be apa- more than speaking to thetic. Nthe politically apathetic; What was the genesis of I realize most of my worries 9/11? While the inception of the about our country are com- actual plot is hard to date, it pletely unfounded. ree thou- was born in spirit in the moun- sand people didn’t die five years tains of Afghanistan, where fun- ago from a preventable attack damentalist “freedom-fighters”-to on our country. Eleven hundred use Reagan’s term-were part of would have perished from a mas- the Afghan effort to fight off the sive hurricane anyway. And those Soviet invasion. Brimming with $200 billion spent so far on an jihad and US-made anti-aircraft inane war-well, I’m sure those missiles, many of these enter- grateful souls in the Middle East prising Islamist radicals would will come around to calling us later form the backbone of Al liberators one of these days. Qaeda, whose members bombed Wow. at’s stupid. And yet, the World Trade Center in 1993, the apathetic and their sympa- our army facilities in 1996, our thizers, armed with a superficial African embassies in 1998, and understanding of American his- our warship in 2000. Meanwhile, tory, will continue to protect their other than the occasional lobbing right not to know. But they’re not of missiles at Saddam Hussein
“...the burden is left to ordinary Americans like us to work together to solve the issues facing our country today and tomorrow.” ALI RAFI The Soapbox, Volume II, Issue II, April 2006 Page 4 or Sudan and Afghanistan, our com- is absolutely absurd. e apathetic are Indeed, the same arguments can be mander-in-chief did absolutely nothing. not only endangering themselves, but all made about other recent issues as well. We Americans, through our leader, have those other people, like me, who actually To this day, some Americans mistakenly even helped out the bad guys in the years want our government to protect us. How believe Saddam Hussein had an active before 9/11. rough the NATO bomb- many more 9/11s have to happen before operational relationship with Al Qaeda. ing of Belgrade in 1999, we gave greater we realize living in a democracy is not To this day, few realize that scientists freedom to the Kosovo Liberation Army simply a right, but a responsibility? had discussed the possibility of a New and related movements. Since the 1980s, While terrorism is by far the most Orleans flood years before Katrina. As these movements have engaged in the dramatic example, quieter forces are rap- long as people like this can be manipu- brutal massacre of innocent Serbs (and idly undermining our nation as well. lated by our political establishment, all other Albanians) and have given Islamic For example, with the spread of higher Americans will suffer. fundamentalism and the heroin trade a education and rapid industrialization to Currently, our nation’s leaders are foothold in the Balkans. countries like India and China, our econ- split into two bickering old ladies-ahem, e idea is that long before 9/11, omy is hemorrhaging manufacturing and political parties-that have no incentive everyone in the United States should hi-tech jobs. Meanwhile, American kids to think in terms broader than what are have connected the dots and demanded of all ages are taught that simply learning necessary to attain public office. So, the that Congress and the President take to read and count are marvelous achieve- burden is left to ordinary Americans like action to secure our nation before the ments. By the time they grow up, it will us to work together to solve the issues attackers struck at home. Of course, four be too late to implement the sort of radi- facing our country today and tomorrow. years after 9/11 and the public outcry cal change in education needed to keep I urge everyone to participate in and over our weak security, we’re still not our economy strong in the 21st century. attend the debates that take place on safe: the 9/11 Commission recently gave Our standard of living will have plum- campus through PennForum and other our government 17 D’s and F’s on intel- meted to relative levels today’s Ameri- student organizations. Political discourse ligence gathering and homeland security cans would consider abysmal. We can’t and open, unbiased discussion is the only measures. But some stirrings of interest wait for the apathetic to realize the neces- way to ensure progress towards future in the issue are certainly better than sity of improved public education, higher successes. ere is no better time to take no interest at all. Contrary to what the teacher wages, and intensive after-school advantage of a diverse range of opinions apathy apologists believe, the notion that tutoring. e apathetic must realize that than your years here at Penn. t anyone can simply be ok with our nation now is the time to act, and that they are being vulnerable to a nuclear holocaust holding everyone else back.
The Invisible Hand of Political Apathy
By: Jae Han academics have bemoaned this embar- it is a privilege that so many people in [email protected] rassingly “low” voter turnout in federal the world do not enjoy? elections and the general political apathy As big a political junkie as I am, I find f you are reading this right now, of this country. Even the 60% turnout these critics to be utterly misguided and you probably aren’t the politically for Bush v. Kerry in 2004 was deemed bordering on elitist. In fact, these critics Iapathetic type. But you may have inexcusable for a nation that purports are entirely missing the point about noticed that a what polit- good percent- “The fact that so many people can afford not to care about politics is a testament ical apathy age of Amer- to our economic prosperity and the robustness of our political system.” really says icans aren’t as about our inclined to keep up with political events to be the beacon of democracy that the country. e fact that so many people as you are. Many of them don’t know civilized world should emulate. ey can afford not to care about politics who their Congressmen are, while others wonder how voter turnout can be so is a testament to our economic prosper- won’t even bother going to the polls on low in a country of essentially unlimited ity and the robustness of our political Election Day. political freedoms. How can you not system. If people can earn a living, enjoy For many years, political pundits and exercise your right to vote, they say, when family life, purchase their desired amount The Soapbox, Volume II, Issue II, April 2006 Page 5 of leisure goods, all the while being sat- has the enormous power to use (and Political apathy has managed to keep isfied with the government services they misuse) our military force and our tax above dangerously low levels because of receive, then who are we to tell them to dollars. In short, citizens must hold the the solid structural foundation of our care about politics? Why can’t a ballerina government accountable for its actions. country. e U.S. Constitution has been just dance for a living and a golf player It is unquestionably true that every brilliantly effective in ensuring political just play golf? Why is it so crucial to the American should honor the sacrifices of rights in a way that has continually pro- interests of this country that they vote those who serve in the armed forces. But duced a sufficient supply of concerned and care about politics? in some sense, these courageous Ameri- citizens, activists, demonstrators, and Political apathy can be caused by a host cans are fighting for our right not to care journalists. ese are the people who pro- of different reasons. It can actively exercise their be due to a lack of political rights to serve exposure to politics, as ravenous watchdogs a focused attention of our government. towards other sub- ey vote not just for ject matters, or an the sake of voting but inability to appreci- because they truly care ate the preciousness about its effects. of our political free- In essence, this is the doms. In any case, political variation of it is downright nar- that little-known eco- row-minded to judge nomic principle called a person unfavorably THE SOAPBOX PUGLIONESI - ALICIA specialization. ose for possessing any of who care deeply about these qualities. On politics, those who the contrary, we have a stake in it, and should be thanking those who are good at the apathetics. By working our political staying out of the system do their part voting booth, they to more than make are being led by an up for the politically invisible hand to pro- apathetic class of this mote the political country. us, Tiger well-being of this Woods need not worry country by sparing us about who’s running of their uninformed for his state’s Senate votes. eir disinterest in politics is really about politics if we so choose. ey are seat if he doesn’t want to. If he doesn’t a tacit effort by them to add to the aggre- fighting to secure and preserve our coun- have the time to educate himself about gate happiness of our society by being try so that you and I can spend our time the candidates, then our democracy can interested in things other than politics. as we wish, as long as we don’t infringe do without his vote. I suspect that the crux of the coun- on the Constitutional rights of others. Would it be a bad thing if more people terargument against this “irresponsible” As far as holding our government in this country cared about politics? Of viewpoint would go something like this: accountable is concerned, there exists a course not. But it is sheer nonsense to hundreds of thousands of soldiers have viable equilibrium between the politically say that our nation is in decline because died-and are still dying-to defend our apathetic and politically engaged popu- of our declining voter turnout. So before political freedoms, so the least we can do lations. is equilibrium generally shifts you condescendingly tell your politically is honor their sacrifices by exercising our towards an increase in the politically apa- apathetic friend to pick up a newspaper, political rights. Moreover, all responsi- thetic population when the times are just realize that his apathy is really a ble citizens should pay attention to the good and shifts the other way when they symptom of a politically functioning actions of their government because it aren’t so good. society. t The Soapbox, Volume II, Issue II, April 2006 Page 6
Every Man, a Revolutionary?
By: Megan Peppel between neo-liberal and socialist leaders. ars, each of us is entitled - indeed respon- [email protected] Such shifts indicate to the populace sible - to critique and seek reformations that governmental structure is alterable. of the status quo. However, we can only et’s begin with a necessary caveat: is stands in stark contrast to our be effective private citizens, entrusted I am neither an expert on Latin government, which has remained fairly with civic offices and posts, when we are LAmerica nor on political philos- systemically-constant since 1776 and able to conform to the demands of our ophy. However, I have observed, and consequently feeds the defeatist resigna- designated roles in society. In essence, unexpectedly been caught in the midst tion that citizen-based political activism all people should employ their ability of, an unusual number of Latin Amer- can’t really incite major change. to reason in order to speak out for the ican uprisings and political demonstra- Regardless of the reasons, Latin improvement of society, yet we must tions during the past year and a half. America tends to be quite politically continue delivering the mail, plowing the Citizens in many Latin American active. Yet, with so much citizen-involve- fields, and showing up to class. If there countries (for my purposes, Bolivia and ment on the socio-economic and political is a law or policy with which we do not Argentina) are arguably more politically fronts, why does Latin America continue agree, we must live within its boundar- active than the average United States citi- to be the continent with the highest rates ies, but speak out against it in public zen. Frequent blockades, dem- forums. He demands, “Argue as onstrations, and political graffiti much as you want and about what reveal a popular discontent with you want, but obey!” the status quo, and more impor- Examining two specific exam- tantly, a desire to effectuate ples of Latin American political change. activism, it seems that many of the is high level of political demonstrators are quite effective activity is obviously not the public advocates. Nevertheless, at result of any single factor. How- times, this is arguably to the detri- ever, it is worth noting two THE SOAPBOX - MEGAN PEPPEL ment of their ability to fulfill the features that may contribute private citizen role. to citizen-participation in Latin Bolivian blockades may have American politics: the immedi- changed governmental gas-exporta- acy of political problems, and a tion policies, but they also impeded belief that the political system the nation’s ability to export goods can be changed. By immediacy, and continue economic activity for I refer to the fact that many several weeks. In the continent’s demonstrations pertain to issues A billboard in Argentina: “If he comes, I go on strike.” poorest nation, severely limiting such as jobs, transportation, housing, of inequality? And why, with such a dem- GDP growth and the potential to better etc. is is arguably in contrast to what ocratic spirit, is the continent still viewed the national standard of living under- I interpret to be the more ideological as politically unstable in United States mines that toward which the protesters “hot topics” in the United States, namely foreign policy discourse? In short, what are aspiring: “Gas by Bolivia, for Bolivia,” abortion rights, tax reform, social secu- is missing in Latin American activism? or rather, increased access to economic rity, etc. As we seek insight into these ques- goods for the common citizen. e second component, the Bolivian tions, it may be valuable to turn toward Similarly, in Argentina, a series of and Argentine demonstrators’ belief that Kant’s text, “An Answer to the Ques- strikes and protests preceded and accom- their political systems can be changed, tion: What is Enlightenment.” rough panied President Bush’s attendance at may be attributed to the fact that, in this discourse, Kant explains that each November’s Summit of the Americas. Latin America, our generation has wit- member of a progressive society has two Amongst the ten-thousand political Sum- nessed government overthrows, regime distinct roles, both of which he must mit-protesters were large numbers of hos- changes from military dictatorships to learn to fulfill: private citizen and public pital workers, public school teachers, and democracies, and significant alternations advocate. As public advocates, or schol- metro workers, who had gone on strike The Soapbox, Volume II, Issue II, April 2006 Page 7 in order to show their solidarity against civilian-based attempts at policy ref- economic, and political growth, these economic and political imperialism from ormation ultimately hurt (as a result institutions are often elitist and lack inde- the North. Some strikers organized an of economic and national-infrastructure pendent agendas. e voices of civilians international Peoples’ Summit, which consequences) Argentine “progress” far - particularly those who are most neg- has traditionally proposed alternative more than it altered any North Ameri- atively affected by unequal socio-eco- development plans that prioritize socio- can politician’s perspective or policy deci- nomic relations - are heard on the voting economic equality. However, this year’s sions. ballot and through their strikes, block- Peoples’ Summit digressed into an (often I am emphatically not suggesting ades, and demonstrations, but they are violent and destructive) anti-Bush, anti- that “those, south of the border, just don’t not included in policy formulation or FTAA protest, which lacked a progressive know how to effectuate political change.” national problem-solving. ere is a des- agenda, destroyed Argentine property, Rather, much of Latin America - and perate need to encourage the devel- and limited Argentine economic and indeed much of the world, including the opment of organized citizen-oriented political effectiveness for several days. United States - lacks well-established and movements that foster civil engagement Again, while these protestors effectively well-publicized civil-society institutions in such a way that the common civilian expressed their (quite justified) frustra- that enable individual citizens to become can effectuate change as a public advocate tions with the North American presi- key actors in the political system. While without compromising his social respon- dent, their mode of protest required civil-society institutions certainly exist sibility as a private citizen. t that the general public abandon its pri- now, and initiate programs to encourage vate-citizen role. Consequently, these movement toward more equitable social,
Dear Mum and Dad, Hope everything has been well at home. Everything is ne over here. I am taking a class in American Politics, and what I have learnt has interested me greatly. While many people inside and outside our country doubt that the one political party system is the best solution to grow our nation, if the alternative is what I see in America, I would rather keep what we have as the lesser of two evils. First, it is a wonder how the government gets anything done here. At all levels of government (where the hierarchy is complicated by different structures across different states), there is incessant bickering between both political parties. This is the exact opposite of the harmonious and unied society that a good government should promote. There is very little effort to promote consensus and compromise. As a 50% majority in the legislature determines most outcomes (unlike the near unanimous results we get in our People‛s Congress), we see politicians working to please only whatever small factions they need to get 50% of the votes, rather than the people in general. Over here, they are very proud of their systems of checks and balances. They say that it helps limit corruption, prevents abuse of power and ensures that the best laws are passed and enforced. I am quite surprised that they can say (A letter from a student to who his are parents, Asian country. living in a populous East into English.) Translated all of that with a straight face. Have you seen the kinds of houses politicians have, and the way they travel? I do not think they can afford it on their real salaries. These politicians make our corrupt ofcials seem petty in comparison. However, in America they sometimes use their earnings for the benet of their constituents, rather than reserving it to send their children abroad to study, or throw lavish wedding parties for their relatives. Last year, Dave Jacoby, who is Representative for the state of Iowa (that‛s in the middle of America, a farming area like the interior northern part of our country) diverted 2.3 billion kuai of government funds (when wealthy people in our town earn about 10,000
A Letter Sent Home kuai a year!) building an indoor rainforest in his state. Also, instead of relying on low-key, personal connections to get policies made, there are actually private companies here who offer to sell their services to bribe politicians (both publicly and privately). This is a very strange activity which would not be tolerated even in our country. I am both surprised and shocked at the political system of a country we all respect as the world‛s most powerful nation. I am interested to hear what you think, or what our local Party ofcial, Uncle Tian, thinks. Thank you for reading this letter. May all of you have a happy Lunar New Year! I will write again soon.
By: Kevin Pang Kevin By: [email protected] With respect, XXXX
The Soapbox, Volume II, Issue II, April 2006 Page 8 The Game of Resignation By: Brian Levy is external but elite pressure demon- [email protected] strates the wide distance between political and administrative officeholders and reg- or over a decade Congressional ular American citizens. Others worried leaders have been dropping like about the effect of Lott and DeLay on Fflies. Jim Wright. Newt Ging- their own election chances. But DeLay rinch. Bob Livingston. Trent Lott. Tom was well aware that Texas-22 would DeLay. Except the last two. ey merely not turn him out, having controversially Former House Majority Leader dropped down a notch out of politeness helped to redraw districts in 2003. And Tom Delay to their fellow legislators. fortunately for Trent Lott, Mississippi Congressional leadership posts have a was irreversibly gerrymandered in 1817. job tenure by remaining silent during history of appearing ideologically signifi- By keeping their seats, Lott and DeLay hearings. cant. In 1971, Mo Udall ran as a liberal reveal that they are cannier than Wright, To be blunt, Ted Kennedy is generally upstart against Hale Boggs for the posi- Gingrich, and Livingston. ey also held to have gotten away with murder tion of Majority Leader. In late 2002, demonstrate that their colleagues haven’t but - like Lott - has his return ticket to Nancy Pelosi emerged as a liberal cham- caught on to the current political reality Washington punched ahead of time. pion, beating Penn’s own Harold Ford, regarding scandal yet. at reality is, ough I worry about responsiveness a New Democrat’s New Democrat, to “Nothing you do matters as long as you regarding scandal, I would find a Cali- win the race for Majority Leader. Being have the votes.” fornia-style recall repugnant. A national elected by a group of lifetime cam- Historically, there are several promi- government as large and powerful as paigners seems like an accomplishment. nent tactical resignations. Abe Fortas our modern government requires delega- And the jockeying among erstwhile allies faced a Congressional filibuster. Nixon tion of power to run, and regular elec- seems to demonstrate that these positions faced such a hostile Congress that he tions to allow citizens to find time to be have importance. But perhaps the only felt it would prevent him from per- informed. Instead, I am concerned that lesson is the one that Udall famously forming the “very difficult decisions and DeLay, Lott, and others have realized declared in 1971: “I have learned the dif- carry out the duties of this office in the that modern elections are more deter- ference between a cactus and a caucus. way the interests of the Nation would mined by political geography rather than On a cactus, the pricks are on the out- require.” Recently, Bernard Kerik and by character and vision. side.” Harriet Miers have looked to be as popu- I have an uncle whose political touch- Despite resigning from leadership lar as Pat Buchanan at a Yom Hashoah stone is Robert Kennedy. He sees Iraq posts, Trent Lott and Tom DeLay still service. through the lens of Vietnam. He expects serve in an elite cadre of legislators that But in modern scandals where there political rhetoric to be lofty and appeal determine a significant portion of the are no votes, the officeholder simply to the best in man. We at Penn have way lives are lived around the world. continues. Ronald Reagan, Clarence primarily grown up with Bill Clinton. erefore, they must have believed that omas, and Bill Clinton all faced scan- e lesson I’ve learned is that you treat their respective scandals would not pre- dals much, much larger than the Post moral errors like any other sort of pol- vent them from legislating. Instead, Lott Office scandal that downed Jim Wright itics. As long as you have the votes, and DeLay worried about being alba- or the overblown concern about Trent you can “win.” I am disgusted by the trosses for their parties. Additionally Lott’s 1948 remarks. Iran-Contra, Anita political guerrillas, who assassinate clean Lott was pressured out by the President Hill, and Monica-related perjury are all characters when they are out of serious - demonstrating that we live in an age more serious. But the 22nd Amend- ammunition. But I am also disgusted by of executive supremacy. “Pressure” is an ment meant that Reagan and Clinton victories of Reagan, Clinton, DeLay, and important concept here. It seems more could not face an electorate. And after Lott. Overcoming their rivals across the likely that Lott and DeLay were forced George H.W. Bush and omas gambled aisle is merely a victory against their own to believe they would damage their party on winning about a dozen Democrats, consciences. by their allies and by the media than that omas doesn’t ever face an electorate Resignation is not a political game. It they independently believed they were again. To be fair though, omas has is a moral one. t no longer fit to lead. repaid the public’s official silence on his The Soapbox, Volume II, Issue II, April 2006 Page 9
Interview with John Dilulio John Dilulio is the Frederic Fox Lead- whole of a society, including as it relates ership Professor of Political Science and to authoritative decisions, backed by Faculty Director and Co-Chair of the the force of law, and affecting all con- Director’s Advisory Group, Robert A. Fox sumers, all workers, all families--all citi- Leadership Program at the University of zens. Pennylavania. Questions were composed It sounds trite, I know, but politics is by Alexander Sulyevich on behalf of e the biggest stage on which the human Soapbox. drama unfolds, and everyone should Photo from: www.prrucs.org speak and play his or her part in it. 1. Describe the role of politics in col- Generally speaking, I’d say that dis- lege classrooms today. What are the cussing politics in classrooms is appro- benefits and harms? When is discuss- priate when doing so advances the ing politics appropriate? liberal arts mission. It should never I really believe that exploring politics come up when conjugating verbs in a is essential to a liberal arts education, language class or debating string theory and that discussing politics is also a good in a physics class (though you might civic habit that tends to beget meaning- pause to debate government support for ful, life-long civic engagement. a given line of research). But take, say, or ideological views, do you really want Politics, properly understood, sheds economics. Politics should not come up a government that is structured so as to light on the human condition itself. Fol- when students are learning how to cal- agitate and exacerbate, rather than settle lowing others, I define politics mainly culate a demand elasticity, but it should or reconcile, human conflicts? Do you as the activity by which conflict among not be avoided when students are learn- really want political parties that offer human beings is agitated or settled. ing about how unregulated markets can stark ideological choices and radically ere is conflict about ideas, as in who create negative externalities or result different visions? Maybe so, maybe not. believes what, and conflict over inter- in radical differences in income and Does your answer change depending ests, as in who owns or gets what Even wealth. I double-majored in econom- on whether you think you or your side when people agree that certain ends ics and political science when I was at holds or will soon hold power? What- are desirable, and even when they also Penn, and some of the most important ever your policy preferences, do you agree on the best means to achieve spe- stuff I learned about politics, govern- want a government in which the ABCs cific ends, conflicts often erupt over ment, and public policy came via my are alliances, bargains, and compro- how best to make trade-offs among and economics courses. mises, or one that can plan boldly, between values or goals that are widely act quickly, and enforce decisions even or universally desired--liberty, equality, 2. How do you see your dual role as a when there is no discernible consensus? prosperity, security, and so on. political figure and a professor? Are you for judicial activism when it My favorite twentieth-century intel- Well, I’m less a political figure than a benefits your ends but against it when it lectual historian, the late Oxford Uni- quirky, idiosyncratic, bipartisan public doesn’t? What’s so bad about such sit- versity scholar Sir Isaiah Berlin, liked to intellectual. Your question is less uational political ethics, anyways? And quip that “Freedom for the pike is death pointed for me than it might be for so on. for the minnow.” e human condi- some other scholars with more distinct tion is such that we can’t have it all. For partisan ties or ideological pedigrees. 3. How have you seen politics change instance, you can’t have all the home- [I am] more likely to ask students the here at Penn? land security you might want without same questions about politics that I’m Some say that there was more stu- at some point having to pay for it in always asking myself, and to encourage dent political activism in the 1960s and the coin of lesser civil liberties, and you them to do what I have done many 1970s. True, but that activism was, can’t maximize freedom without risk- times myself, namely, to be tutored even then, the province of a relatively ing instability or disorder. Business and about politics or policy by new empiri- small, intensely motivated group of stu- other disciplines teach the same essen- cal data, to keep an open mind, and to dents. Some say that today’s students tial truth about the unavoidability of permit a change of heart to occur as one vote less but volunteer more. Also trade-offs among things we desire. But lives and learns. true, but, in 2004, the Fox Program, only politics teaches it as it were, for the For instance, whatever one’s partisan The Soapbox, Volume II, Issue II, April 2006 Page 10 for which I serve as faculty director, Nobody, in my view, self-consciously 5. What has your past work expe- helped mobilize students in over a dozen engineered or intended this tilt in aca- rience taught you about politics in campus organizations. ey got out deme, and I think claims about political America? the vote. Penn, thanks largely to their correctness and the like are sometimes at James Madison was righter efforts, experienced a three-fold increase quite exaggerated. And I do not believe than he probably knew about the need in student turnout in 2004 over 2000. that faculty with strong political views, to structure government in ways that We’ll see if we can make 2006 over 2002 liberal or conservative, routinely attempt combat special-interest groups, or what an encore performance. to impose those views on their students- he might have us call factions. Madi- Still, I think college students today, -most students are too smart, too self- son was dead right about the need to and not just at Penn by any means, are respecting, and pay too much money divide power in ways that make it dif- far more inclined to see volunteering as for that to go unchecked. It happens, ficult for any faction, including a major- a form of civic engagement that’s good, but it’s not the norm. ity faction, to work its will without due and campaigns, elections, and such as I’m a liberal to many conservatives, a regard for others. Bad as political polar- just politics, which they are more prone religious liberal to my religious conser- ization is today, imagine the effects if to dislike or disparage. vative friends, a big-government liberal one side or the other was able to govern My good friend and patron saint, Dr. to my libertarian-conservative friends- without having to run the constitutional Ira Harkavy, was a Penn student activist -and a Democrat, new or old, to all! maze. in the day. Today, three decades later, Still, on at least some issues, I’m what Believe it or not, the real problem he heads Penn’s Center for Community passes for a conservative, even a religious today is less the elected leaders them- Partnerships. I wish every Penn stu- conservative, in elite secular academe. selves, whether Democrat or Republi- dent would get to know him, heed his About 42 percent of Americans can, and more their staffs. e staffs are wisdom, and be inspired by the good describe themselves as born-again or often far more partisan, and far more works he has inspired. I think he would evangelical Christians, the vast majority ideologically extreme, than the mem- concur that politics and policy beyond of whom regularly attend worship ser- bers themselves. at’s why I wish we volunteering is vital to addressing our vices. Add to that the fraction of Cath- could cut the number of congressional collective life problems, especially in olics and other people of faith who staff in half (to 10,000 or so, down from urban America; but I don’t think stu- regularly attend worship services, or who over 20,000), and require that all stand- dents are as inclined as they once were cite so-called moral values as a main ing committees in Congress be staffed to believe that or act on it. I hope I’m factor in deciding how to vote, and you by nonpartisan civil servants. It’s also wrong. I’d love to be proven wrong on have maybe half the country that con- why I supported then, and still do, the this. sists of various types of religious conser- recommendation made by former Fed- vatives--over half and counting. Yet, I eral Reserve chairman Paul Volcker back 4. What do you like most and least suspect that we could count the number in the mid-1990s, namely, that presiden- about politics at Penn? of religious conservatives on any elite tial political appointees be reduced (to Let me answer a slightly different secular university faculty on our fingers 1,500 or so, down from over 3,000). question, one about how politics at Penn and toes (maybe just our fingers). But the big lesson is that what Har- could be enlivened in ways that are con- One practical way to address this par- vard’s late Richard Neustadt termed sistent with our core liberal arts and ticular imbalance might be simply to our system of separated institutions shar- educational mission. engage more with thinking what reli- ing powers works. It works much as Neither Penn nor any other school giously-committed scholars are think- intended to keep those in power from needs to mirror national political demo- ing. For instance, a well-respected head governing wholly without regard to what graphics to fulfill its intellectual mission. of the human genome project, Francis others think or want. In a world where But, by the same token, it is not best Collins, is coming out soon with a book few constitutional governments persist, to pursue an education in what might discussing his orthodox religious beliefs, that’s not bad. be construed as a political demographic and how he relates them to his profes- bubble. In a polity that is pretty evenly sional life as a serious man of science. “...I feel blessed and privileged to split between the parties, and in which Worth exploring I’d say, both here at teach what I do. I truly thank God self-identified conservatives slightly out- Penn as well as at other top schools that number self-identified liberals, most top are proudly nonsectarian, whatever their every day for what Penn gave colleges and universities, except for the de facto political profiles or demograph- me as an undergraduate, and for religious ones, have far more Democrats ics. the students that it permits me to and progressives. teach and learn from now.” t The Soapbox, Volume II, Issue II, April 2006 Page 11 ALICIA PUGLIONESI - THE SOAPBOX THE SOAPBOX PUGLIONESI - ALICIA
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A non-partisan and impartial Board of Editors chooses a selection of incisive and provocative pieces to be published in each issue.