"I don't accept the argument of people like David Horowitz that the government should impose some sort of predetermined political balance on academic research"

In this quote, Juan Cole is resolving an essential issue in the realm of scholastic flexibility and the role of federal government in scholarly research study. By turning down David Horowitz's argument for federal government intervention to guarantee a "established political balance" in academic community, Cole stands versus the imposition of external political standards on research and academic discourse.

David Horowitz, a popular conservative author and commentator, has been vocal about what he perceives as a liberal predisposition in academic community. He argues that this imbalance could be fixed by carrying out policies that produce a more politically varied scholastic environment, which he believes would be fairer and more representative of the wider population.

Cole's rejection to accept this line of reasoning highlights his commitment to the concepts of scholastic liberty. He suggests that the introduction of government-mandated political balance would weaken the self-reliance of academic institutions, which grow on the flexibility to explore, obstacle, and dispute ideas without external interference. This independence is crucial for the pursuit of understanding and the progression of society, as it promotes an environment where ideas can be checked and refined through open discourse.

The idea of enforcing a political balance is bothersome for several factors. To start with, it raises questions about who chooses what makes up a "balance" and how such balance can be successfully determined or imposed. Secondly, it might cause a stifling of intellectual variety instead of its promo, as scholars might feel pressured to stick to government-imposed standards instead of pursue initial and possibly questionable research.

Cole's position underscores the notion that academia need to be a realm where ideas are disputed based on their benefit instead of their alignment with political ideologies. In turning down Horowitz's proposition, Cole champs a scholastic landscape where liberty of thought and expression are maintained, permitting scholars to engage with a broad spectrum of ideas in their pursuit of reality.