The Marketplace of Ideas: SSI and SJP
Jake Souleyrette
The Santa Clara
April 4, 2019
Influential historical figures
ranging from English poet John
Milton to President Thomas
Jefferson to members of the U.S.
Supreme Court have promoted the
protection of the “marketplace of
ideas” as foundational to Western
philosophy. This theory argues the
best ideas and truth will always
defeat poor ideas and lies, similar
to how a superior good will defeat
an inferior good in the economic
marketplace.
Because of the triumph of truth,
differing viewpoints should both be
tolerated and encouraged, resulting
in the best outcome for the community at large. Silencing a viewpoint only serves to let an inefficient
product thrive, similar to how in a
monopoly prices rise and service
suffers as a result.
As we look at the debate between
Students Supporting Israel (SSI)
and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), we should not forget the
societal value of the marketplace of
ideas.
The issue between Palestine
and Israel is as emotional as it is
complex. On both sides, there has
been tremendous bloodshed and
tragedy. This column has no desire
to explore the complexities of the
issue nor take a stance. Rather, this
article discusses the issue at hand
in our community: the legitimacy
of SSI as a new Registered Student
Organization (RSO).
As the last issue of The Santa
Clara reports, the creation of SSI
has been contested by members of
the SJP, as they seek to initiate steps
to revoke SSI’s charter. By revoking
their charter (via a campus-wide
referendum), SJP will prevent SSI
from interacting with our campus
and doing so will effectively silence
SSI’s viewpoint.
This story is nearly a month old
with developments in the works.
When asked for a comment, SJP’s
co-president Noor Darwish responded saying they have decided
against seeking a referendum to
revoke SSI’s RSO status, believing
that even if the referendum was successful, it would be overturned by
Jeanne Rosenberger, vice provost
for student life. In short, SJP would
seek to silence SSI, but will not because they are protected by the vice
provost.
Finally, SJP has attempted to
initiate conversation between their
leadership and SSI, but SSI declined.
SSI’s president could not be reached
for immediate comment. It seems
that SJP is acting in good faith, and
this promotion of dialogue should
be applauded. The remainder of this
column intends to explore SJP’s attitude to dissenting viewpoints.
SJP’s reaction to a competitor in the
marketplace of ideas was to silence
rather than debate.
This attitude of silencing opponents in thought is reminiscent
of attitudes shown on the national
stage. Of the 22 members of the
Arab League, 17 do not recognize
Israel, and more radical groups like
Hamas have called for the country’s
complete destruction. These views,
while largely condemned by the free
world, are held by mainstream politicians.
On the global stage, anti-Israel
groups wish to see the Israeli government dissolve. Anti-Israel sentiment has even permeated into the
House of Representatives; Minnesota Rep. Omar’s anti-semitic
comments have been nationally
criticized, resulting in the passing
of a resolution condemning hate
speech. On the small stage of our
campus, SJP has sought to silence
the pro-Israel viewpoint from the
literal moment of its inception. This
was only stopped when SJP learned
their referendum would be vetoed
on principle.
Rather than attempting to censor SSI, SJP should take their fight
into the marketplace of ideas. Our
community at Santa Clara should
be open to all viewpoints, allowing
us to decide which are the best. Censoring a viewpoint only serves to
create monopolies where bad ideas
may thrive. If we reversed the roles,
clearly SJP would not want SSI to
monopolize campus space on this
nuanced issue. Only through an
open marketplace can the best ideas
rise to the top.
As previously stated, the conflict between Israel and Palestine
is nuanced, emotional and difficult
to discuss. Many in our community
are far from experts (including your
humble columnist), and discourse
on campus would serve our community greatly. The inclusion of more
viewpoints, not less, is paramount
to the success of the marketplace
of ideas.
As our community faces problems similar to this in the future, we
should look to open our hearts and
minds to as many viewpoints as we
can and discern the best from there.
Furthermore, SSI’s inclusion on our
campus provides an opportunity for
learning and would highlight our
tolerance for different viewpoints.
Jake Souleyrette is a sophomore finance major.