A victory for Hoppe

Posted by Guessedworker on Thursday, 14 April 2005 23:31.

I have long regarded the political correctness movement as a threat to all independent thought, and I am deeply concerned about the level of self-censorship in academia. To counteract this tendency, I have left no political taboo untouched in my teaching. I believed that America was still free enough for this to be possible, and I assumed that my relative prominence offered me some extra protection.

When I became a victim of the thought police, I was genuinely surprised, and now I am afraid that my case has had a chilling effect on less established academics. Still, it is my hope that my fight and ultimate victory, even if they can not make a timid man brave, do encourage those with a fighting spirit to take up the cudgels.

If I made one mistake, it was that I was too cooperative and waited too long to go on the offensive.

The closing words of a statement by Hans-Hermann Hoppe, professor of economics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, following his victory over a UNLV “commissar”.

Hoppe had been persecuted through the disciplinary machinery of the university for an entire year by this individual. His sin was having twice failed, while lecturing, to take account of the feelings of a homosexual student.

The academic world - or that part of it that cares more for academic freedom than political correctness - rode to Hoppe’s defence. UNLV was presented with a public relations disaster and, with some reluctance it seems, was finally forced to back down.

Tags: Free Speech

Comments:

Posted by ben tillman on Fri, 15 Apr 2005 02:34 | #

If I made one mistake, it was that I was too cooperative and waited too long to go on the offensive.

But he did eventually go on the offensive, and therein lies a lesson. Those who capitulate receive no mercy. Those who turn the tables have a fighting chance.

I am a fan of Hoppe’s. His political philosophy is intellectually rigorous, and full of (apparently) original insights. I highly recommend his book Democracy: The God That Failed.

Posted by Geoff Beck on Fri, 15 Apr 2005 03:21 | #

2004 Interview with H. H. Hoppe:

http://www.philipdru.com/audio/hoppe.mp3

from

http://www.philipdru.com/

Posted by Guessedworker on Fri, 15 Apr 2005 08:54 | #

ben,

I agree that is the message that will be sent out by this episode. Perhaps the writing is not yet on the wall for academic Stalinism. But HHH picked up the brush and paint at his local DIY store.

Posted by WJ Phillips on Fri, 15 Apr 2005 11:40 | #

Hello, Guessed. A propos cowardice, did you see that Peter Cuthbertson has applied for membership of the nice people’s commissariat by deleting all comments on the latest ‘Conservative Commentary’ thread about race and intelligence, vis a vis Charles Murray’s ‘Human Accomplishment’?

He has also scrapped the comment which warned him that he might be embarrassed by our fearful heresies when seeking to become a Tory candidate.

Posted by Guessedworker on Fri, 15 Apr 2005 12:05 | #

WJ,

Welcome. No I hadn’t seen that. How unfortunate, and so much less amicable than argument. I think one can be compassionate, however. Peter is a good lad and I hope he makes it in politics. But refuting political correctness and the inevitability of Multi-cult is too strong meat for him just now.

You should spend more time lunching with us.

Posted by md on Fri, 15 Apr 2005 21:48 | #

I don’t subscribe to Hoppe’s libertarian vision, but I see that he is an extremely interesting and provocative thinker, almost perfect for a college faculty. He probably “offends” about everybody and everyone within his various theories and speculations. Just the kind of guy you want wandering around a college campus.

I was particularly amused at his slapping down of the dim-witted provost who affirmed his reprimand.

He not only won, he won with some style.

P.S. I wonder if the Univ of Colorado will be applying to newly-forged “fact/opinion” test to the work of Ward Churchill?

Posted by Geoff Beck on Fri, 15 Apr 2005 22:07 | #

I’ve not read Hoppe’s books, but have read many interviews and articles on Rockwell site.

I especially agree with this views on the state and taxes. Furthermore he endorses (though he would not state it this way): 1) the elimination of the state, and 2) successionist movements. He also advocates individual’s right to fully arm themselves, a position I heartily endorse

I’d like to make peace with sincere libertarians. We need their help.

BTW: He is not an open borders immigration man.

Posted by md on Sat, 16 Apr 2005 15:27 | #

Hoppe also provokes the observation that the most interesting and provocative thinkers in college faculties these days are found in the economics and genetics departments, and not, as used to be the case, within the philosophy or political science departments (which are now fetid cesspools of PC).

Posted by GayLikeAFox on Sun, 17 Apr 2005 23:22 | #

For those interested in an alternative viewpoint, I argue over at my blog that this decision was good not just for Hoppe and accademic freedom, but also for the gay community.

Posted by Braveheart on Mon, 25 Apr 2005 15:47 | #

I happen to read that on May 25, 2005 professor Hans-Hermann Hoppe will comment the economic surplus value of small nation states on the Flemish Interest economic congress.

text (in Dutch): http://www.ondernemendvl.org/files/omov.pdf

Flanders,