Is There an Academic Mafia in Higher Education?
At The American University in Cairo, Maybe
by Thomas DeVere Wolsey
Tenure and academic freedom are, once again, under fire (for example, here and here). That’s too bad because tenure protects academic freedom, insulates professors and teachers against the swinging doors of popular politics, and supports quality research no matter the direction the evidence takes. We can argue that democratic principles, such as due process, separation of powers, and consistent application of the law are reflected in tenure laws. But what happens when these checks and balances are absent? This year is the 50th anniversary of The Godfather movie[1], and it is an opportunity to reexamine what we expect from tenure and what we should never accept. The American University in Cairo (AUC), Egypt[2] is our case study. Naturally, we are not comparing the criminal aspects (mainly…) of The Mafia (with a capital ‘M’) to AUC, only their methods and means of operating.
What is a Mafia?
Fredo, you’re my older brother, and I love you. But don’t ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever.
A mafia typically has a top-down, pyramidal structure with lieutenants and specialized soldiers who are unusually loyal to the “family” regardless of the activities of the…
