Starving The Beast

Starving the Beast is an engaging and thought-provoking documentary film released in 2016. Directed by Steve Mims and featuring notable figures such as James Carville and Siva Vaidhyanathan, the film is a systematic analysis of over three decades of systemic and financial changes in publicly funded American higher education system. The movie vividly illustrates the battle between those ideas that propose to reshape higher education as a business driven by market forces, and the traditional ideals of education being a public good that should remain ingrained within a society.

The title of the film "Starving the Beast" refers to a fiscal strategy employed where funds are deliberately drained from public services such as higher education with the intention of creating a crisis that opens the door for large-scale changes. The “beast” symbolizes the public university system which is, according to some, being systematically starved off resources leading to a compounded crisis on fiscal fronts. The film cuts directly to the heart of this contentious issue and examines the effects of budget cuts, privatization, and tuition increases which have been gripping public universities over the past years.

James Carville, a well-known political commentator and Siva Vaidhyanathan, a professor of media studies, offer their unique perspective in this multi-faceted issue. Carville's charismatic presence and his passion for higher education make him a compelling character, whose strong advocacy for public universities is clearly shown throughout the film. Vaidhyanathan on the other hand, argues about the broader social and political implications of the drastic reshaping of public higher education, exploring the long-term effects on the future of American society.

The feature length documentary gives an up-close insight into these transformations at some of the most prominent public universities: University of Wisconsin, University of Virginia, University of North Carolina, Louisiana State University, University of Texas, and Texas A&M. Using interviews with key players, on-the-ground footage, and a deep research, it compellingly narrates the complex story behind the transformative efforts driving the higher education structure which prides itself as the backbone of intellectual development and economic growth in the United States.

Undoubtedly, the documentary presents a clear message: that the traditional view of higher education as a public good is being critically undermined by a different paradigm which views higher education as a commodity to be bought and sold. The clash of these two conflicting ideologies forms the narrative core of the film. The question of whether education is a public good or a market-driven commodity is explored from different dimensions which sheds light on the larger debate about the value and purpose of higher education.

The film stands out with its thoughtful and balanced analysis, encapsulating the key moments that brought about the market-oriented reform movement in higher education. But it does not stand back from taking a critical look at these reforms, centering the narrative around the drastic effects they are having on higher education and students. The film implicitly questions whether these structural and financial changes are in the best interests of the students and the nation.

The filmmaker, Steve Mims, does a commendable job of maintaining an even-handed approach throughout, allowing the viewers to form their own opinions. The movie does not just skim the surface of the issue but dives deeply into the ideological, political, and financial dimensions that make the issue of higher education a complex one. From the influence of billionaires on higher education policy to stories of struggling students trying to meet high tuition fees, it covers a wide range of interrelated topics in a meaningful and informative way.

Through its detailed exploration of a largely underreported subject, Starving the Beast shows the importance and urgency of the debate surrounding the restructuring of public higher education in America. It is not just a film, but a call to all those who care about preserving the age-old values of higher education to stand up and take notice of the changes happening in this sector. This critically acclaimed film is a must-watch for anyone who seeks to understand the complexities and ongoing changes in the landscape of higher education in America.