> I wonder how much it has to do with the aspect of literary critique and interpretation in many Universities becoming more radical.
What basis is there to say they are more radical? People who follow the norms have been complaining about it for forever. The difference, I suspect, is that now reactionary, radical capitalist politics (we really need a word for that part of the spectrum) have become dominant, and they do not value, respect, or believe in the freedom of other perspectives. They think that if they don't like something, it should be suppressed, and they do it.
Universities have always been 'radical'; that's the idea. They are supposed to nurture free, unconstrained thinking. It's not hard to think beyond what is mainstream and normative; if people an universities aren't saying and writing things that most people think goes too far, then they aren't trying. Also, much that was radical then is normal now, and much that is radical now will be normal in the future.
Where is the "capitalist" in your description coming from?
I disagree that they're necessarily more radical as the other commenter suggested, by they are absolutely far more bias towards left-leaning viewpoints. So much so that in many cases I believe its restricted free thought more so than nurtured it. Many students fear that if they have an opinion which doesn't align with the administrations stated political narrative then they could face academic, social, and/or administrative repercussions.
What basis is there to say they are more radical? People who follow the norms have been complaining about it for forever. The difference, I suspect, is that now reactionary, radical capitalist politics (we really need a word for that part of the spectrum) have become dominant, and they do not value, respect, or believe in the freedom of other perspectives. They think that if they don't like something, it should be suppressed, and they do it.
Universities have always been 'radical'; that's the idea. They are supposed to nurture free, unconstrained thinking. It's not hard to think beyond what is mainstream and normative; if people an universities aren't saying and writing things that most people think goes too far, then they aren't trying. Also, much that was radical then is normal now, and much that is radical now will be normal in the future.