The diversity principle : the story of a transformative idea. David B. Oppenheimer

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Oppenheimer, David B., (author).

Series:

Yale Law Library series in legal history and reference.

Yale Law Library Series in Legal History and Reference Series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Inclusive education.

Educational equalization.

Education, Higher--Political aspects--United States.

Education, Higher.

Education and state--United States.

Education and state.

Discrimination in higher education--United States.

Discrimination in higher education.

Academic freedom--United States.

Academic freedom.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New Haven : Yale University Press, 2026.

Summary:

"As a war on diversity upends government, corporate, and education policies, the history of the idea of diversity has never been more important. In this contrarian book, David B. Oppenheimer, a diversity skeptic turned admirer, chronicles how diversity became a foundational value of higher education over the last two hundred years, how it evolved as it was adopted in commerce and science, and the implications of the current backlash. The diversity principle—the idea that people with different backgrounds, experiences, identities, and viewpoints produce better work by engaging with one another—was a core tenet of the first modern research university, founded in Germany in 1810. It was the inspiration for John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty, a touchstone of academic freedom; a hallmark of Charles Eliot’s remaking of Harvard in the late nineteenth century to promote the “clash of ideas”; and a foundation of the twentieth century efforts toward equality of Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Pauli Murray. In telling the story of the diversity principle through the experiences of these and other remarkable thinkers, Oppenheimer argues for affirming diversity as a central value of education and an essential ingredient for a robust intellectual and political culture." -- Publisher's description.

Contents:

The diversity principle timeline

Introduction: two hundred years of valuing diversity

Part I. The diversity principle and the rise of the modern research university. Upending the traditional university ; Liberty, equality, diversity ; Liberty and diversity at Harvard ; Harvard's "Jewish Problem"

Part II. The diversity principle's influence on freedom of speech and academic freedom. The marketplace of ideas ; Boycotts, quotas, diversity, and segregation ; The fight over the meaning of "Excellence" ; The open universities in South Africa ; The four foundations of academic freedom

Part III. The diversity principle is embraced but then rejected by conservative Supreme Court Justices. The legal brief that rewrote affirmative action law ; Diversity and the Bakke Case ; The Supreme Court's long embrace and turnabout rejection of the diversity principle

Part IV. The diversity principle's benefits are recognized and championed by educators, business leaders, and scientists. Diversity science ; The business case for diversity ; Diversity and backlash in Europe

Part V. The war against diversity. From diversity to DEI ; The war on diversity.

ISBN:

0300289596

9780300289596

0300279892

9780300279894

OCLC:

1569118777