TGS Live: Harvey Mansfield on Where Harvard Went Wrong

TGS Live: Harvey Mansfield on Where Harvard Went Wrong

June 19, 2026 · 60 min

About this episode

Glenn Loury discusses Harvard's academic issues with political philosopher Harvey Mansfield, focusing on his new book about the university's decline in commitment to truth.

Support The Glenn Show at https://glennloury.substack.com Harvey Mansfield, the eminent political philosopher who spent over seven decades at Harvard, joins Glenn to discuss his new book, Where Harvard Went Wrong: Fifty Years of Commentary that Fell on Deaf Ears . Mansfield argues that Harvard has traded its commitment to truth for an overbearing political emphasis on equality — fueling grade inflation, racially discriminatory admissions practices, and the erosion of genuine academic standards. Glenn reflects on the irony that meaningful reform began only after Mansfield's retirement, and suggests that decades of ignored warnings may have contributed to Harvard's recent string of public embarrassments. A searching conversation about elite institutions, democratic values, and what universities owe the students they serve. The Glenn Show is almost entirely audience-supported , so to those of us who are already full subscribers, let me extend a heartfelt thank you. And if you’re not yet a full subscriber, please consider becoming one . The Glenn Show can only do what it does through the generosity of viewers and listeners. For a mere $6/month or $50/year , you’ll get access to…

People in this episode

Host: Glenn Loury

Guest: Harvey Mansfield

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Harvard

Books & works: Where Harvard Went Wrong: Fifty Years of Commentary that Fell on Deaf Ears

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