THE AUTHORITARIAN MOMENT OF THE LIBERAL ARTS

IntroductionThe Liberal Arts have long been considered a pillar of intellectual freedom, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and a broad understanding of the human condition. Yet, in recent years, these institutions have undergone a shift toward what can be described as an “authoritarian moment.” Once spaces for diverse and challenging ideas, they now often impose ideological conformity, demand compulsory participation, and operate within increasingly commercialized frameworks. Drawing on the works of philosophers such as Michel Foucault, Gilles Deleuze, and Giorgio Agamben, this essay will explore how Liberal Arts education has transitioned from a liberating force to a mechanism of control. It will examine the pressures to conform, the instrumentalization of safe spaces, the role of surveillance, and the economic commodification of education.