The Role of Neoliberalism in the Marketisation of Higher Education

This book assesses to what extent marketisation in Higher Education can be attributed to Neoliberalism. Higher education sectors in many countries have increasingly relied on market mechanisms in their management and functioning, particularly in their provision of education. Many assume that Neoliberalism, with its pursuit of free markets and competition, is the key driver. Neoliberalism continues to be a popular concept to describe the social, political, and economic worlds around us, but there is little consensus on how it should be defined or understood. The book argues that there is a clear scope for the use of Neoliberalism to describe the direction HE is shifting towards, but it is rather inadequate on its own and not applicable in all areas. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction Neoliberalism Marketisation Marketisation as Neoliberalism Is It Really Neoliberalism? Rationale of the Book The Organisation of the Book References Chapter 2: HE in Flux Early Ideas Nineteenth Century The Non-instrumental Aim of Universities Educational Shift: Robbins and the 1960s Robbins: Intrinsic or Instrumental? After Robbins New Labour Tories: Cameron and May Conclusion: The Ideal of a University References Chapter 3: How Can We Understand Neoliberalism? Short History of Neoliberal Thought Hayek and the Austrian School of Economics Chicago School and Friedman Friedman Public Choice Neoliberalism in Practice: Institution Building and Political Influence How to Understand Neoliberalism Neoliberalism as Policy Neoliberalism as Ideology Neo-liberalism as Governmentality: Production of Neoliberal Subjectivity Foucault and Governmentality Foucault and Neoliberalism Neoliberal Subjectivity Neoliberal Discourse Conclusion References Chapter 4: How Has Neoliberalism Been Applied to HE? Critique of Neoliberalism Neoliberalism Transforming Universities HE as a Private Good The Erosion of Academic Work Managerialism Neoliberalism and HE Neoliberalism a Policy Neoliberalism as Ideology Neoliberalism as Governmentality Conclusion References Chapter 5: How Can We Understand the Role of Neoliberalism in the Marketisation of HE? Marketisation The Role of Markets Real Free Market? Private Good Quasi-Markets The Role of Competition Is It Neoliberal? Finance and Fees The Role of the State Universities Audit Practices Managerialism Students Conclusion References Chapter 6: Conclusion Introduction Key Points Contributions to Our Understanding of Marketisation What Does This Mean for Our Understanding of Neoliberalisation? Neoliberalism as Policy Neoliberalism as Ideology Neoliberalisation as Governmentality A New Approach: Neoliberalisation as a Wider Shift Conclusion References References