A college professor says “democracy requires a different kind of education.”   NPR offered a podcast of its interview with Mark Slouka from the University of Chicago.  He said he worries that our schools aren’t doing enough with the humanities.  

It’s a personal matter for Slouka.  He’s a professor of English.  But, he said this should also be a public concern.  He said education “has become about the GDP and we are raising a nation of workers — not citizens.”  He wants children who can participate in the ”American tradition” of skepticism.  That means directing students to courses that may challenge them or even “disturb” them. 

Slouka admitted “humanities don’t pay off in a way that’s visible.”  But, he told NPR he fears economic demands for job production and higher incomes are “taking the essence out of education.”  What’s wrong with valuing economic production?  “Johnny’s not going to just work in a cubicle all his life,” Slouka said.   The humanities serve other human needs.

Slouka said his goal requires a different way of thinking.  ”We need to start considering that maybe the rising tide of demagoguery in America is, kind of, a warning sign … A true humanistic education is sort of the perfect antidote to demagoguery.”  In his view, such training would “further what’s best about our democracy and forestall what might be coming down the line.”

You can read more of his thoughts in the September issue of Harper’s magazine.