Really interesting article on the prime movers behind this policy development. I used to be an academic in a previous life and did come across characters like Advani occasionally. What do you think drives them? Is it ideology, envy of those they perceive as wealthy, or is it their ego? Or all three? I always found them an alien species and would dread conferences or events when I’d have to spend any length of time with them.
Envy is I think a factor certainly - Warwick's not a bad university but it's not Cambridge. I think he'd be happier honestly advocating as a think tankie rather than pretending.
Yes - I’d wager he does very little, if any, teaching. All research focused. Probably sees himself as above teaching, as most of them in academia do now. It’s just a step on the ladder to a policy advisory position, or a comfy chair on Newsnight, for many of them now. I grew completely alienated from that world. There are aspects of it that I do miss, but it was a deeply hostile environment to anyone not of the left - ask Academic Agent, he’s an ex academic too. I probably only managed as long as I did because I’m a woman (there were far fewer women in political sciences when I entered in the 90s). Saturated with them now.
The farmers have called it marking your own homework.
Aye
Really interesting article on the prime movers behind this policy development. I used to be an academic in a previous life and did come across characters like Advani occasionally. What do you think drives them? Is it ideology, envy of those they perceive as wealthy, or is it their ego? Or all three? I always found them an alien species and would dread conferences or events when I’d have to spend any length of time with them.
Envy is I think a factor certainly - Warwick's not a bad university but it's not Cambridge. I think he'd be happier honestly advocating as a think tankie rather than pretending.
Yes - I’d wager he does very little, if any, teaching. All research focused. Probably sees himself as above teaching, as most of them in academia do now. It’s just a step on the ladder to a policy advisory position, or a comfy chair on Newsnight, for many of them now. I grew completely alienated from that world. There are aspects of it that I do miss, but it was a deeply hostile environment to anyone not of the left - ask Academic Agent, he’s an ex academic too. I probably only managed as long as I did because I’m a woman (there were far fewer women in political sciences when I entered in the 90s). Saturated with them now.