Liberal Education Under Illiberal Regimes: Student Experiences from Afghanistan, Hungary, Myanmar, and the US
In Afghanistan and Myanmar, authoritarian regimes have created highly repressive environments that threaten liberal education, leading some universities to operate primarily in exile. In Hungary and in the US state of Florida, a rise in authoritarianism, often associated with growing populism and nationalism, has also created conditions for a new wave of opposition to liberal education.
Since the start of the year, the Liberal Arts and Sciences Collaborative (LASC) has brought together student representatives from universities in these four contexts to share anecdotes and engage in discussions about the nuances of studying liberal arts and sciences in environments that may not always embrace the open-mindedness and critical thinking these disciplines advocate.
Obstacles to Liberal Education
During one talk, Afghan and Burmese students described their bold efforts to meet the challenges of seeking a liberal education in the face of illiberal adversity. Myanmar and Afghanistan have both seen the unfortunate return of oppressive regimes following a coup by the Myanmar military in February 2021 and the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August of that same year.
This has led to the politicization of education and an ever-present threat of crackdowns against learning perceived to be a threat to the legitimacy of de facto authorities. Young Afghan and Burmese scholars now risk detention or arrest simply for pursuing knowledge. “My university is the only one that provides education to women. It’s giving me the freedom to think, voice my opinions, and be creative,” remarked one student from Afghanistan.
Students described the daunting obstacles they faced in their institutions but also spoke at length about the ways they continue to sustain the struggle for liberal education. In both Afghanistan and Myanmar, leveraging online platforms and more discreet methods of learning has created space for intellectual exchange that would otherwise be impossible.
“It can be dangerous for us to voice our thoughts outside the classroom,” said a student from Parami University in Myanmar. “We must be especially careful when we gather, whether in person or online, as discussing sensitive topics can bring risk. But my classmates and professors do their best to ensure we have safe spaces for sensitive discussions.”
Agency and Opportunities Curtailed
In Hungary and Florida, the pursuit of knowledge faces new hurdles as government restrictions narrow the scope of available coursework, with studies in gender and critical histories facing increased scrutiny. In both contexts, highly centralized decision-making – overseen by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his ruling Fidesz party, and Florida’s Governor Ron Desantis and the Republican-led state legislature – have stifled academic freedoms.
These actions have led to the shuttering or relocation of liberal education institutions in Hungary and dramatic shifts toward much more conservative university leadership in Florida. To note, in Hungary, student organizations have had their agency curtailed and opportunities severely limited while in Florida, DEI initiatives have been halted. This has led to serious concerns about how the state is seeking to remake higher education so that it more strongly conforms to a conservative, and restrictive, ideology.
“Some believe the changes imposed by the state government on our public university are ultimately to force us to become private, which echoes a larger push for the privatization of education in the United States,” remarked a student from Florida.
“If our university was privatized, we would lose it as a bastion of academic freedom. Our government can do what it wants, but I don’t think it would dare to privatize us because it would cause an uproar,” remarked a student from Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Hungary. “But the centralized system makes it difficult for us as a student body to get official permission to host any events.”
Challenging the Narrative Amidst Human Rights Abuses
Yet, within these challenges, students and educators alike continue to seek paths for learning about the liberal arts and advocacy against the tide of restrictions. “Loss of faculty has been very tough, but I am incredibly grateful for the faculty that are here teaching and the efforts they put in,” commented a student from Florida, “We have also received support from universities from elsewhere in the US, so I don’t think it’ll be easy for our opponents to overhaul liberal education here.”
“It can be frustrating to study human rights and yet see human rights abuses being committed by the de facto authorities all around us,” observed a Parami University student. “But I also have hope because my classmates and I are becoming stronger thinkers and are empowered to raise our voices to address challenging issues and question the status quo. Ultimately, liberal education provides a foundation of hope and resilience to envision a future Myanmar that is flourishing with freedom and prosperity.”
“Liberal education guides us to understand how everything is part of a very large narrative, and that we can challenge this narrative. Being intellectually empowered allows us to troubleshoot society and envision and achieve positive change,” said a student from Afghanistan. “We may feel less hope right now, but over time we can form networks and use our collective creativity to shape the future that we want.”