Why Is American College So Expensive?

Summary

The video explores the history and consequences of the rising student loan debt in the U.S., linking it to the policies of Ronald Reagan and the shift from public funding of colleges to tuition-based models. It discusses how this shift has made higher education increasingly inaccessible for the working class, with tuition and predatory loans pushing millions into debt. The video critiques the current system, highlighting the detrimental effects of exclusionary practices and arguing for free, accessible college education to foster both individual and collective empowerment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Biden's student loan forgiveness plan is projected to cost $300 billion, but lacks significant reforms to education tuition or loans, offering only temporary relief.
• 😀 The rise of student loan debt in the U.S. is rooted in the 1960s and 1970s, a period marked by significant social unrest, including the Vietnam War and college protests.
• 😀 Reagan and his administration viewed the rising protests on college campuses as a threat, fearing the emergence of an 'educated proletariat' that could challenge the existing power structures.
• 😀 Before the late 60s, higher education was relatively inexpensive, with many colleges offering low or no tuition, making college accessible to a small portion of society.
• 😀 The Vietnam War and subsequent protests led to increased polarization, with figures like Reagan actively working to shut down protests and reduce working-class access to higher education.
• 😀 Reagan's policies shifted college funding from the government to tuition, making college more expensive and contributing to the rise of student loan debt.
• 😀 By making college more expensive, the system disproportionately excluded the working class and marginalized groups from higher education, leading to lower enrollment rates among low-income families.
• 😀 The shift to a tuition-based model of higher education weakened collective power among the working class, making it harder for them to organize or represent their interests.
• 😀 The narrative of making college accessible to the deserving was introduced, with metrics like SAT scores being used to justify exclusionary practices and to maintain the status quo.
• 😀 Critics of student loan forgiveness and free college continue to argue about cost and quality, ignoring the deeper structural inequalities and the impact of these policies on the working class and marginalized groups.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, and why is it criticized?

Biden's student loan forgiveness plan aims to forgive up to $300 billion in debt for millions of Americans. However, it is criticized because it lacks significant reforms to education tuition or the student loan system, only offering temporary relief. Critics argue it will only delay the inevitable return to the $1.7 trillion debt in a few years.

How did Ronald Reagan influence the rise in student loan debt?

Reagan's administration played a crucial role in shifting the model of higher education from being publicly funded to relying on tuition. His government cuts, alongside Nixon's, made college more expensive, thus increasing reliance on student loans. This shift was partly to keep the working class out of higher education, as it was seen as a source of political opposition during the Vietnam War protests.

What was the 'dangerous educated proletariat' that Reagan’s advisor referred to, and why was it a concern?

The 'dangerous educated proletariat' referred to the growing number of educated working-class people who, through their education, might begin questioning societal inequalities. This posed a political threat to the ruling class, as educated individuals were seen as more likely to challenge the status quo and engage in protests or even revolutionary movements.

How did college education historically serve the upper class and marginalize others?

Historically, college education was a privilege mostly reserved for white upper-class men, with women, Black people, and non-Christians either excluded or segregated into separate institutions. Colleges were intentionally kept expensive or exclusive to prevent the working class and marginalized groups from accessing education.

What role did the GI Bill play in changing access to higher education in the 20th century?

The GI Bill allowed WWII veterans to attend college at no cost, significantly increasing access to higher education for working-class Americans. This expanded opportunities for many who were previously excluded, contributing to the growth of college enrollment and the gradual inclusion of more diverse groups.

Why were college campuses particularly important in the 1960s and 70s?

During the 1960s and 70s, college campuses became centers of political activism, particularly against the Vietnam War. The protests that erupted on campuses challenged government policies and sparked national debates about social inequality, making campuses hotbeds for revolutionary ideas, which worried political leaders like Reagan.

What is the relationship between tuition fees and the increasing exclusion of the working class from higher education?

The shift to tuition-based college funding made higher education increasingly inaccessible to the working class, particularly as tuition costs rose. This exclusion reduced opportunities for collective organizing and political mobilization within the working class, as college became less a tool for upward mobility and more a privilege for the wealthy.

What justification did Reagan and Nixon give for cutting funding to higher education?

Reagan and Nixon justified the cuts to higher education funding as part of a 'small-government' approach to cost-cutting. They claimed the state needed to reduce its budget, despite simultaneously increasing spending on other areas like the War on Drugs. The public was led to believe that this shift was necessary to balance the budget.

How do student loans relate to the broader political and economic goals of the U.S. government?

Student loans are seen as a tool to keep the working class indebted, thus maintaining the status quo. Loans make education accessible but at a high cost, leading to long-term debt. This financial burden prevents the working class from achieving economic independence and keeps them from challenging systemic inequalities.

What are the main criticisms of the argument that vocational schools are a better alternative to college education?

The argument that vocational schools are superior to college is criticized because vocational training often occurs within colleges themselves, and the pay for vocational jobs like welding is not significantly higher than that of college graduates in other fields. Additionally, the idea that college is unnecessary for success overlooks its broader educational value and its role in fostering critical thinking and social mobility.