Creating the Cold War University

Rebecca S. Lowen

ISBN 10: 0520205413 / ISBN 13: 9780520205413

Published by University of California Press, US, 1997

About this Item

The "cold war university" is the academic component of the military-industrial-academic complex, and its archetype, according to Rebecca Lowen, is Stanford University. Her book challenges the conventional wisdom that the post-World War II "multiversity" was created by military patrons on the one hand and academic scientists on the other and points instead to the crucial role played by university administrators in making their universities dependent upon military, foundation, and industrial patronage. Contesting the view that the "federal grant university" originated with the outpouring of federal support for science after the war, Lowen shows how the Depression had put financial pressure on universities and pushed administrators to seek new modes of funding. She also details the ways that Stanford administrators transformed their institution to attract patronage. With the end of the cold war and the tightening of federal budgets, universities again face pressures not unlike those of the 1930s. Lowen's analysis of how the university became dependent on the State is essential reading for anyone concerned about the future of higher education in the post-cold war era.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780520205413

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Creating the Cold War University
• Publisher: University of California Press, US
• Publication Date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0520205413
• ISBN 13: 9780520205413
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: New
• Dimensions: 15.24W x 2.54H x 22.86D centimeters 15.24 centimeters width by 2.54 centimeters height by 22.86 centimeters depth
• Weight: 590 grams

About this title

Synopsis

The "cold war university" is the academic component of the military-industrial-academic complex, and its archetype, according to Rebecca Lowen, is Stanford University. Her book challenges the conventional wisdom that the post-World War II "multiversity" was created by military patrons on the one hand and academic scientists on the other and points instead to the crucial role played by university administrators in making their universities dependent upon military, foundation, and industrial patronage.

Contesting the view that the "federal grant university" originated with the outpouring of federal support for science after the war, Lowen shows how the Depression had put financial pressure on universities and pushed administrators to seek new modes of funding. She also details the ways that Stanford administrators transformed their institution to attract patronage.

With the end of the cold war and the tightening of federal budgets, universities again face pressures not unlike those of the 1930s. Lowen's analysis of how the university became dependent on the State is essential reading for anyone concerned about the future of higher education in the post-cold war era.

About the Author

Rebecca S. Lowen is currently Visiting Scholar in History at the University of California, San Diego.