[tsomer]

Authority in general, and physical force in particular, are anathema to many among the intelligentsia, academic or otherwise. They can always think of some "third way" to avoid hard choices, whether on campus, in society, or among nations.

I'm not so sure about this.

Campus faculty won't hesitate to wield their authority against certain things; Lawrence Summers is a case in point.

Todays Academics may tolerate, or cower from campus anarchy, but they'll crush any offender within their realm of influence. They control kids' futures.

[jazusamo]

Yes, but it seems those on the left (which are the majority) are very much more tolerant of those with their own ideology.