Starving the Beast is a term in politics. It is a kind of political strategy that is being used by American conservatives. Starving the Beast's aim is to limit government spending.
They can do so by cutting taxes in order to deprive the government of revenue in an effort to force the federal government to minimize its spending on education, welfare, Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.
Which is why Steve Mims put out a documentary that showcases the "ideological war over public higher education", quotes NY Times. Starving the Beast is real and the states are doing it. Education has now become a business and no longer a public responsibility.
In order to starve the beast, states are cutting university funds. In turn, it forces tuition fees to rise, as well as student fees. Steve Mims, in his film, reviews the educational conflicts in the states of Texas, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Virginia and North Carolina. Mims interviews conservative reformed individuals. However, Mims is not shy in letting them know that he is a traditionalist.
The first time the term starving the beast was used was in 1985. A Wall Street Journal article quotes a man named Reagan. The term was used to refer to a political-fiscal strategy. Now, it is being used as a common reference to budget and spending cuts.
The film, Starving the Beast, looks into the on-going power struggle in different colleges across the United States. It takes into account the political and business related forces that aims to disrupt and reform American public universities and colleges.
Steve Mims focuses on University of Wisconsin, University of North Carolina, University of Virginia, Louisiana State University, University of Texas and Texas A&M. These schools are showing a reframing of public higher education as a "value proposition" which will be borne by the students rather than a "public good" for the society.
Who do you think the financial winners are? Tell us your thoughts below.
Not familiar with the film? Watch the trailer below:
