Without the continued existence of the democratic system…
““Without the continued existence of the democratic system and of publicly funded education and research, however, most current teachers and intellectuals would be unemployed or their income would fall to a small fraction of its present level. Instead of researching the syntax of Ebonics, the love life of mosquitoes, or the relationship between poverty and crime for $100 grand a year, they would research the science of potato growing or the technology of gas pump operation for $20 grand.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
If democratic institutions and public funding for education disappear, scholars would be forced into low‑pay jobs, shifting research toward trivial or low‑value topics.
In simple terms: Loss of public education funding forces scholars into low‑pay work.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for public support of research.
Themes
politics
education
economics
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
policy
When to use this quote
- policy advocacy
- university budgeting
- research priorities
Key Concepts
public funding
academic labor market
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the risks of privatizing education?
- How can society value essential research?
A Different Perspective
Some argue private funding can replace public support.