The independent libertarian scholar David Gordon surveyed all Harvard University Press titles published 2000-2010 in the numerous major subject areas. The study is published in the January 2011 issue of Econ Journal Watch, and has attracted notice in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
After removing titles with little relation to political ideology, 494 titles remained, and the ideological outlook of each was assessed. The results show that Harvard University Press leans heavily to the left. In fact, over the 10+ years surveyed, only eight of the 494 titles, or 2 percent, had an outlook that was conspicuously either classical liberal or conservative.
The results are less lopsided - but still very lopsided - when books "leaning" or "tending" are also included. The ratio of titles in the (Left + Communitarian) categories to those in the (Conservative + Classical Liberal) categories is 3.7 to 1. Furthermore, a large portion are conspicuously Left, and Gordon highlights the content of several of those titles. Gordon's article contains links to spreadsheets reporting his ideology coding for each of the 494 HUP titles. The article is graced by colorful graphs.
The survey covers books in the subject areas of Business & Economics, History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Sociology, as well as a residual of titles in Law.
The study parallels the findings of a study of Yale University Press by John B. Parrott, published in the September 2010 issue of Academic Questions.
The results are important for debates about whether academic standards---"Has the candidate published a book with a leading university press?"---are themselves ideologically biased.
Comments (16)
Nice post. It reminds me... Have you ever heard of this quote before? “An intelligent being, is the active principle of all things. One must have renounced all common sense to doubt it, and it is a waste of time to try to prove such self evident truth.” - Jean Jacques Rousseau
Posted by Cruz Wheary | May 7, 2011 4:09 AM
Posted on May 7, 2011 04:09
I backtracked through your previous posts as well and was quite impressed with them as well. You have quite a knack for blogging and I just wanted to let you know someone was reading what you have written.
Posted by Cynthia Musolino | June 6, 2011 9:54 AM
Posted on June 6, 2011 09:54
Yes, thats specifically what I wanted to hear! Wonderful stuff here. The info as well as the detail were just perfect. I believe that your perspective is deep, its just well thought out and truly amazing to see a person who knows the best way to put these thoughts down so nicely. Great job on this.
Posted by davidcarlallison | June 6, 2011 6:13 PM
Posted on June 6, 2011 18:13
Hey, no doubt this would have taken you a while to write up. Thanks for your efforts
Posted by apprenticeship electrical | June 28, 2011 12:06 AM
Posted on June 28, 2011 00:06
Business is tough as it is, without having a suitably competent supervisor or even workers one would seem to aim for failure, just acquiring the proper people today for the job is just what one must have.
Posted by l and r merchandising | July 5, 2011 4:35 PM
Posted on July 5, 2011 16:35
i am unable to possess that to generate a look and feel
Posted by Nelson Perret | July 6, 2011 3:48 AM
Posted on July 6, 2011 03:48
Yet there is a sad ending to this tale for America. The majority of Americans, it turns out, are like the Treasurer rather than the Artisan. For 67 years, they have ignored the steady, incremental yet exponential violation of the Constitution by the Federal Government via the Commerce Clause and now, when that exponential curve starts shooting straight up into outer space, they are angrily surprised.
Posted by Roxy Cagley | August 7, 2011 8:54 PM
Posted on August 7, 2011 20:54
whoooaaa which was great
Posted by Dixie Engley | August 29, 2011 8:35 AM
Posted on August 29, 2011 08:35
Great website.
Posted by Omar Yasseen Munir | September 5, 2011 1:32 PM
Posted on September 5, 2011 13:32
Thanks i love your article about Harvard Press Leans Left
Posted by hyip | September 6, 2011 4:03 PM
Posted on September 6, 2011 16:03
Lord, how I do long for the days when a groom would make a point of shaving before his wedding. Call me old fashioned, but why call it a "groom" if no actual grooming is required? Of course, there's the distinct possibility that the term derives from the manner of grooming more commonly associated with a stable, in which case I would stand corrected.
Posted by atlanta website design company | September 27, 2011 8:48 PM
Posted on September 27, 2011 20:48
Just saving this for later, I'll head back when I have some more time
Posted by Hand Held Clothes Steamer | October 1, 2011 3:02 AM
Posted on October 1, 2011 03:02
My motto is once you make a mistake, do it twice.
Posted by Darius | November 10, 2011 6:45 AM
Posted on November 10, 2011 06:45
Enjoyed reading this, very good stuff, thanks .
Posted by Ray Cox | November 19, 2011 8:23 AM
Posted on November 19, 2011 08:23
Ah, Judgment Day! That special time of year when you discuss the world and possibilities of it's end. It seems we have safely entered 2012 and we are safe. Guess what Chuck Norris bought a new bike today with 3 yrs manufacturer's warranty. SO guess it's not happening in 2012 :)
Posted by Augustine Broadus | December 31, 2011 3:10 PM
Posted on December 31, 2011 15:10
To laugh is not a sin, but to admit it when reading this information at least surprised me :)
Posted by Pigia | January 9, 2012 4:51 AM
Posted on January 9, 2012 04:51