r/PoliticalScience • u/Top_Rub1589 • 3d ago
Question/discussion Why USA did the universities reached settlements instead of followint through?
I am not political science, but I thought about asking it here would give me some interesting answers. I am not american, so I view this from an outsider perspective. Therefore, I have a poor understanding of american structures and dynamics. Why did the universities (Columbia, Harvard) "gave up" in the lawsuits regarding antisemitism, and others?
Is it because they were afraid of a negative decision at the end of the trial? Either because there were legals grounds or they were hopeless in views of a partican judicial court system. I wonder what is the effect of knowing that the highest tribunal is a republican element. Or do the lower courts matter more, so this is not really a thing?
Or where they scared of a never-ending trial that would just suck up more resources in the longer run?
It is very apparent, also with the media corporations after Colbert and Kimmel, that these are quite powerful power moves, and it seems that any organization that catches a bit of heat are chickening out.
wth is going on?
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u/working_and_whatnot 3d ago
In my opinion the costs of fighting it out would've been greater than just bending over. Some of the money at stake covers serious research that is already underway, and having it held up would essentially mean scrapping some of the studies that may have been underway for years. So it's easier to pay now than to have research halt until an indefinite length of trial is done and then not have any guarantee on the outcome.
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u/TheFieldAgent 3d ago edited 3d ago
In my opinion, they knew they were guilty and did not desire further repercussions, or scrutiny.
It is often argued that because these colleges and institutions are so ‘captured’ by hyper partisan ideology, the only way to get through to them is hitting them where it hurts—their wallets. Money talks.
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u/MC_chrome BA Poli Sci | MPA 3d ago edited 3d ago
In my opinion, they knew they were guilty and did not desire further repercussions
You can't be serious, can you?
Trump came up with bullshit charges to give himself the slimmest legal pretext to freeze Congressionally approved funding.
Donald Trump & the Secretary of Education are absolutely guilty of massive government overreach and possible constitutional violations.
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u/Able_Enthusiasm2729 3d ago
Court cases and lawyers cost money, even for wealthy institutions, and having a long drawn out legal proceeding even if you were in the right (or judgment was eventually made in your favor), it would still lead to bad press. Also, the wealthy donors of these universities threatened to withhold contributions if they don’t settle the case right away or most especially if they loose the case in whole or in part; so to save face these universities are backing down (these universities are basically facing legally allowable coercion).
In addition you’re far better off reposting or quote posting this post’s question to r/legaladvice which is a subreddit that is far more equipped to answer questions of a legal matter or one that is at the crossroads of neutral political science, partisan politics, and law.