Towson Professors Hosts 'The Political Economy Project'

From Towson University: It has become a cliché. Colleges and universities are the bastions of unbridled liberalism. The hallowed halls of higher ed, as Chris Mooney writes in Mother Jones, are “seen as (places) of deep ideological bias against conservatives,” where professors indoctrinate students with liberal, if not libertine, values.

Just recently, the scheduled appearance of Milos Yiannopoulos caused pandemonium at UC Berkeley with both property and bodily damage resulting. Today the topic of free speech was featured in Towson University’s newspaper, the Towerlight.

Towson Professor Howard Baetjer, who self-identifies as a “classical liberal,” more commonly known as a libertarian, believes there is a way for students to listen to different points of view without acrimony, name calling and labeling. The Political Economy Project lecture series was created to support and enrich the education of Towson University students who are interested in political economy, economics, political philosophy, public policy, social philosophy, and related fields—any students who are seriously interested in investigating how society can best be ordered to advance the well-being of mankind.

Baetjer intentionally introduces students to presenters and ways of thinking that may challenge their political philosophies. The first lecture in the series that beginsFebruary 14 at 5 p.m. in the Liberal Arts building, room 2310, is titled, Finally (?): Repealing and Replacing Obamacare, presented by Michael Cannon of the Cato Institute.

With political views further polarized after the presidential election, how does Baetjer keep the political passions from boiling over?

“We advertise and introduce the talks in terms that make clear that we want to grapple thoughtfully with the issues,” Baetjer says. “It’s a process of exploring ideas, not trying to convince. Maybe because they are presented with the topics that way, the students have always been entirely courteous. And we invite only speakers who are both accomplished scholars and courteous people themselves.”

It may not seem like the most click-worthy story that Baetjer’s students and guests discuss and debate politics civilly, but given the contentious climate and all of the headlines about campus unrest, it would certainly stand out.

Remaining lectures include:

• "An Unapologetic Case for Unconditional, Unilateral Free Trade"
  
  • Prof. Don Boudreaux of George Mason University
  • Thursday, March 9, 5:00-6:15, LA 2310
• “Government: Expecting Angels, Finding Humans”
  
  • Prof. Antony Davies of Duquesne University
  • Thursday, April 13, 5:00-6:15, LA 4310

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