https://zenodo.org/records/17398522
Taha Nazir
- Editor-in-Chief, Pharmaceutical Review. ISSN 2220-5187 https://pharmaceuticalsreview.com
- Ex-President – Pharmacist Federation (Pakistan). http://pharmacistfed.wordpress.com
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Running title: Bureaucratic control and academic freedom in developing countries.
Keywords: Academic freedom, higher education governance, administrative dominance, developing nations, innovation, faculty autonomy, leadership ethics, institutional reform..
Note: This manuscript was developed using advanced artificial intelligence tools, digital data repositories, information databases, and contemporary software applications.
Abstract This review investigates the pervasive rise of administrative authoritarianism in universities across developing nations. The study analyzes how institutional heads—such as deans, chairpersons, and administrators—have shifted from their legitimate facilitative roles to dictatorial control, undermining academic autonomy and innovation. Drawing on historical context, theoretical frameworks, and empirical evidence from UNESCO, OECD, and the Global Observatory on Academic Freedom, it highlights the structural, political, and cultural origins of this dysfunction. Evidence from South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East reveals how bureaucratic dominance degrades academic quality, research freedom, and institutional morale. The review concludes with recommendations to restore shared governance, servant leadership, and respect for academic self-determination.