Liberal Scholars and U.S. Policy

Liberalism is a political theory and a moral philosophy that emphasizes the right to individual liberty and freedom from restrictions or oppressions within the parameters of order and law. As a belief forged during the era of colonialism, settler colonialism, and transatlantic slavery, liberalism conveniently rendered entire peoples—adult men and women as incapable of self-rule. The modern notion of race has thus been a crucial component of liberal policymaking. The papers in this panel examine the liberal lenses of scholarly experts roughly a century apart to reveal striking continuities, as well as differences, about their presumptions regarding competent governance. Julia Elyachar will recount how expeditions to Ottoman Syria from Princeton University drew on physical anthropology at the beginning of the twentieth century relate “race” to civilizational development. Naoko Shibusawa will discuss Columbia University lecturer George Louis Beer’s role in establishing the Mandate System. Moving forward in time, Charlotte Rosen will analyze liberal blinders in contemporary historians’ assessments about competent governance. Together, the papers will foster a conversation about the role of scholars in shaping or supporting U.S. policy, past and present, and current responsibilities under a hostile administration.