Beyond Peak Woke?: VDH Interviews Ilya Shapiro on Our University Censors
Jan 13, 2025
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Ilya Shapiro, a senior lecturer at Georgetown Center for the Constitution and author of "Lawless: The Miseducation of America's Elite," shares his experiences navigating the challenges of legal education. He critiques the impact of diversity initiatives on the training of future lawyers, reflecting on controversies like those at Stanford Law School. Shapiro discusses the growing influence of activism within elite institutions, the decline of academic rigor, and the pressures shaping law school culture today, including censorship and political agendas.
The podcast highlights the troubling shift in legal education towards social activism at the expense of foundational legal training, impacting future practitioners' preparedness.
A discussion on DEI policies reveals how they contribute to a disconnect between essential legal competencies and the current curriculum in elite law schools.
Deep dives
Critique of Legal Education
The podcast discusses a critical examination of legal education in America, particularly at elite law schools, highlighting the issues of indoctrination and a lack of objective truth. A significant aspect of this critique stems from an individual's experience at Georgetown Law School, where it was noted that law students are often influenced by political biases even before they reach law school. Legal training has shifted away from foundational subjects like torts and contracts, focusing instead on ideologies rooted in social activism, which undermines the preparation for future legal practitioners. The dangers of this trend are emphasized, as these graduates are set to become influential figures in the legal and political landscape.
Impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policies
The discussion highlights how DEI policies have infiltrated academia, particularly within the legal education system, affecting curriculum and institutional culture. These policies have contributed to a growing bureaucracy within law schools, which prioritizes social justice initiatives over traditional legal training. As a result, students are experiencing a disconnect between the necessary skills required in law practice and what is being taught, leading to a decrease in effective legal education. It is argued that the emphasis on DEI has not only diminished the quality of legal training but also adversely affected students' experiences and feelings of belonging within these institutions.
Influence of External Forces
External pressures, such as alumni advocacy and state legislation, are discussed as potential catalysts for reform in law schools. The episode points out that recent backlash against 'woke' ideologies in higher education could lead to changes driven by market demands and public opinion. For instance, law firms are increasingly hesitant to hire graduates from schools that prioritize social activism over legal competency. The talk suggests that when influential stakeholders take a stand against the current trends, it may enforce accountability and prompt necessary shifts in the education system.
The Future of Legal Education and Its Implications
The conversation raises concerns about the long-term implications of the current educational practices on the legal profession and society as a whole. Graduates from elite law schools often occupy key roles in legal and political institutions, meaning their training can shape legal frameworks and societal norms. If current trends continue, there is a worry that a generation of lawyers may emerge lacking essential skills and grounded understanding of the law. This scenario poses significant risks, as the eventual outcomes could influence various sectors, potentially leading to a legal system that is more about ideology than justice.
In this special episode, Victor Davis Hanson talks to Ilya Shapiro about his law school experience and university employment as a senior lecturer at Georgetown Center for the Constitution, from which he was forced to resign for opinion on SCOTUS DEI hiring.