Risa L. Lieberwitz

Confronting the Privatization and Commercialization of Academic Research: An Analysis of Social Implications at the Local, National, and Global Levels

In the current era of capitalist hegemony, the term “globalization” has become synonymous with the global dominance of private market economies. Though concepts of “internationalism” have long been associated with the political Left, the possibilities of a progressive vision of globalization are currently overshadowed by the deepening of private market policies in existing capitalist economies and the expansion of capitalism to former socialist countries and to developing countries throughout the world. This phenomenon has affected all societal institutions through governmental implementation of privatization policies and deregulation; through the power of global financial institutions—such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund—to impose loan conditions that require governments to adopt policies that promote private markets; and through multilateral trade agreements that favor transnational corporations (TNCs) in their pursuit of increased capital mobility and market expansion. This article addresses the impact of privatization on universities in the United States, focusing, in particular, on the effects on the university mission and academic research in the life sciences. Both public and private nonprofit universities have been affected by public policies of privatization, leading to

What social responsibility for the corporation?: A report on the United States

The questions posed for the national reporters for this International Seminar demonstrate the wide range of issues that can be included as part of an analysis of corporate social responsibility. Even limiting the discussion of corporate social responsibility to employment issues covers a broad scope, represented by the three general questions posed for this Seminar: (1) hiring policy; (2) personnel management policy; and social protection policy. Before entering this discussion of the three questions, though, it may be useful to step back to an even broader question of the meaning of the term, “corporate social responsibility” (CSR). The term, itself, carries an underlying assumption of the legitimacy of a particular economic system and its central actors; that is, corporations are central, legitimate, and functional actors in social relations within a capitalist economic structure. The concept of CSR does not question the existence of corporations and their role in maintaining a system of private ownersh...

Constitutional and Statutory Treatment of Drug Testing in the United States

Drug testing brings together two worlds normally viewed as unrelated in the treatment of rights and responsibilities: the workplace and criminal law enforcement. Testing for the presence of metabolites consistent with illegal drug use is a highly intrusive search of a person. Given the invasion of privacy resulting from any search of a person or place, the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits government from conducting searches without a warrant issued by a court upon a showing of probable cause. Broadening the power of an employer to search employees through drug testing must draw comparisons with government searches under the Fourth Amendment. Such a comparison raises questions about society’s vision of the workplace, including employee rights and the scope of employer power. Should the government use methods of criminal law enforcement when acting as an employer? Should private employers be able to assume a police power by using these same enforcement methods against employees? What restrictions and obligations should be placed on employers who test employees for drugs? Is there any justification for the loss of privacy of employees subjected to sweeping drug testing?

Higher Education and Social Policy: The Case of the United States

The institutional character of U.S. universities and colleges has been based, traditionally, on the social policies of public mission and academic freedom. In a liberal democracy, this distinguishes the university from private for-profit economic institutions. However, universities have sought to maintain independence from industry, while simultaneously interacting with it. Since the 1980s, this negotiation has been affected by the growth of privatization policies that have encouraged universities to expand their relationships in the private economic sphere through increased market activities. This chapter explores the negative consequences of such privatization policy on the university’s independence and its public mission. This study addresses, as well, how these developments alter traditional values of faculty academic freedom and the communal culture of the university.