Amy Gutmann, a well-known political philosopher, has been appointed as President Joe Biden’s ambassador to Germany. Gutmann has made significant contributions to areas such as deliberative democracy, identity politics, and the role of educational institutions in a diverse society. With Russia’s involvement in Ukraine’s war, it is fitting to have Gutmann, the daughter of a German Jewish refugee, representing U.S. interests in Berlin. However, her appointment may not solely be due to her intellectual achievements or ancestral ties. It is probable that President Biden felt a sense of indebtedness towards her as she provided him with something invaluable, perhaps even more than the largest Super PAC contribution.
Before becoming an ambassador, Gutmann served as the president of the University of Pennsylvania for 18 years. During this time, she was highly regarded for her impressive fundraising abilities and strategic skills. Notably, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, led by Joe Biden himself. Gutmann and Biden seem to have developed a strong relationship, evident when Biden personally advocated for his granddaughter’s admission to Penn. This favoritism highlights the unique dynamic between Gutmann and Biden, as one would typically expect a university president to show deference towards a former vice president.
However, Gutmann’s role as the president of an Ivy League institution sets her apart. Ivy League universities, with their substantial endowments, have become influential in shaping the cultural and political landscape of the nation. By incorporating students from privileged backgrounds and disadvantaged groups, these universities have created a progressive elite that holds significant sway. Yet, the admissions practices of these institutions have come under scrutiny, presenting an opportunity for the emergence of alternative elite-making institutions.
Gutmann’s predecessor, James Bryant Conant, also took up the role of U.S. ambassador to Germany after serving as the president of Harvard University. Conant aimed to transform Harvard into a meritocratic institution, selecting the nation’s brightest individuals through rigorous tests. This meritocratic ideal has faced challenges throughout the years, as various administrators have pursued a more pluralistic approach. Instead of focusing solely on academic excellence, elite higher education incorporates students chosen both for their academic qualifications and their potential to enrich the university community. This departure from a strictly meritocratic paradigm has recently undergone a moral transformation, termed progressive elitism.
Gutmann’s Tanner Lectures on Human Values emphasized the importance of combating racial injustice collectively. She argued for unity among Black Americans and urged privileged individuals to fight racial injustice to avoid benefiting from unfair advantage. Given Gutmann’s stance, it raises questions about President Biden’s efforts to secure his granddaughter’s admission to the University of Pennsylvania. One possible resolution is that privileged individuals can justify using their status and connections to secure educational opportunities if it serves the larger cause of social justice.
From Gutmann’s perspective as a political philosopher, she may argue that admitting privileged students aligns with causes she and her colleagues consider worthy. Progressive university presidents believe that diversifying the elite is crucial, not only by increasing representation of historically disadvantaged groups but also by shaping the rising generation of the American elite. A broader theory of legitimacy is needed to justify this project of elite-making. While meritocratic elitism aims to cultivate patriotism and civic duty in the brightest individuals, progressive elitism aims to increase diversity within the American elite.
In conclusion, Amy Gutmann’s appointment as ambassador to Germany highlights her significant contributions as a political philosopher. However, her close ties to President Biden and her position as the president of an Ivy League institution raise questions about admissions practices and the emergence of alternative elite-making institutions. A broader theory of legitimacy is required to justify the progressive elitism seen within higher education’s influential institutions.
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