Conservative and liberal scholars have joined forces to publish a new manifesto titled ‘The Buckingham Manifesto for a Post-Progressive Social Science,’ calling for an end to what they describe as the dominance of ‘wokeness’ in academic humanities. The document, released in July by The Chronicle of Higher Education, criticizes the influence of Critical Social Justice ideology in academic settings since the 2000s, arguing that it has constrained academic freedom and hindered open intellectual discourse. Political science professor Eric Kaufmann, who organized the manifesto, claims the takeover by ‘wokeness’ has led to a narrowing of knowledge production and a decline in academic rigor.
Kaufmann, a prominent figure in the debate over academic freedom, stated in an interview that the takeover by ‘wokeness’ caught many institutions and scholars off guard, as it was not driven by new discoveries but rather by a contingent historical episode. The manifesto aims to establish a new social science framework that prioritizes viewpoint diversity, open inquiry, and civil discourse. Scholars from prestigious institutions like Harvard and conservative activists such as Christopher Rufo have signed the document, demonstrating a cross-ideological commitment to reforming higher education. The manifesto also proposes the creation of new academic centers and research initiatives to promote a more balanced intellectual environment in academia.
In addition to the manifesto, Kaufmann has announced plans for a £100,000 research award for ‘post-progressive’ social science projects and the upcoming publication of a book titled ‘Post-Progressivism: Toward a New Social Science.’ The initiative reflects a broader movement among academics to re-evaluate the direction of social science research and restore the principles of open intellectual exchange in higher education. As the debate over academic freedom continues, the manifesto has sparked discussions about the role of ideology in shaping academic curricula and the future of critical thinking in the humanities.