Embedded Files
Anti-intellectualism is defined as “the hostility to, or mistrust of, intellect, intellectuals, and intellectualism.” The dismissal of art, history, literature, and science can be attributed to this phenomenon, along with the idea that the “common people” are not and should not be educated, while education is left for “high-class elites.” In the context of anti-intellectualism, “intellectuals” can be defined as political, logical, and academic thinkers, scholars, scientists, mathematicians, philosophers, and teachers.
In the past, anti-intellectual rhetoric has been used to preserve totalitarian dictatorships, such as the rule of General Francisco Franco of Spain (1939-1975), during which 200,000 civilians were killed. Most of these civilians were a part of the Spanish intelligentsia, a class of politically active academics and artists. Similarly, during the Cambodian genocide (1975-1979), Pol Pot’s totalitarian regime nearly destroyed the entire educated population. During totalitarian regimes and dictatorships, anti-intellectualism, a key component of fascism, has historically been used to keep the public ignorant. The repression of the population by applying anti-intellectualist rhetoric avoided political dissent.
Anti-intellectualism has historically run through the blood of the American body. In Richard Hofstadter’s Anti-Intellectualism in American Life, he details the characteristics of American populism that seeks to glorify the “common man” and reject intellectualism. In the 21st century, and especially in the past eight years, anti-intellectualism has been heavily platformed in the United States by far right organizations and movements such as Q-Anon. Even in less radical spaces, and mainstream ones like the Republican party, anti-intellectualist sentiment is frequently expressed. The strong Republican opposition to the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT) can partly be attributed to this sentiment. Much of this opposition is connected to Donald Trump specifically, and his administration.
As he prepares to take office in January 2025, Trump has promised to bring the “best and brightest from across the country to build his administration.” So far, a few of his cabinet picks have included Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (Department of Government Efficiency), Linda McMahon (Department of Education), and Robert F. Kennedy (HHS Secretary).
While campaigning for the White House, one of Trump’s promises was to dissolve the US Department of Education, which coordinates funding for public schools, administers student loans, and facilitates programs to help low-income students. Republicans often claim the department pushes “woke” educational agendas on students, and Trump has personally accused the department of distributing “inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material.”
His plan to dismantle the department would require congressional approval, but pushing for it can be considered a domestic attack on America’s educational system, and is in line with traditional anti-intellectualist rhetoric. As the American people look towards the future in the wake of the 2024 election results, an open question remains: how will the anti-intellectualist movement impact the future of our country?
Google Sites
Report abuse