Professors

Submitted by Joseph H. (United States), Dec 23, 2003 at 16:34

Many politicians and people in power are by no means specialists in the areas they influence, but they still hold the right and ability to voice their opinions on whatever they please. Indeed, American voters have entrusted those in public office with the authority to control public and foreign policy. They rely on whomever they choose, if not themselves, to decide what to do with the vast resources that are at their disposal. From lawyer to farmer, our democratic system has seen a gamut of professions attributed to the people who hold the most responsibility: our legislators and executives.

If professors in this country are irreponsible to voice opinions that are outside of their specialization, then we may also put in question the opinions and actions of our leaders , or at least on issues where they are not considered "specialists."

Just as people of influence are bound to a degree of accountability for how they use thier positions, those who are subject to that influence are responsible to make up thier own minds--regardless of who is speaking, politician, professor, or citizen. It is the freedom of every person to speak his or her opinions that makes the American marketplace of ideas so rich. I see no justification for any restriction.

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".