Empires of Ideas: Creating the Modern University from Germany to America to China

The modern university was born in Germany, but the United States has leapfrogged Germany to become the global leader in higher education. Will China challenge its position in the twenty-first century? Empires of Ideas looks to the past two hundred years for answers, chronicling two revolutions in higher education: the birth of the research university and its integration with the liberal education model. William C. Kirby examines the successes of leading universities to determine how they rose to prominence and what threats they currently face. He also draws illuminating comparisons to the trajectories of three Chinese contenders: Tsinghua University, Nanjing University, and the University of Hong Kong, which aim to be world-class institutions that can compete with the best the United States and Europe have to offer. However, Chinese institutions also face obstacles, such as reinvesting in undergraduate teaching, developing new models of funding, and navigating a political system that may undermine a true commitment to free inquiry and academic excellence.

Format: Hardback
Length: 504 pages
Publication date: 05 August 2022
Publisher: Harvard University Press

The modern university has its roots in Germany, but the United States has recently surpassed it in terms of global higher education prominence. Will China challenge this position in the twenty-first century?

While American institutions currently dominate nearly every major ranking of global universities, it is important to note that their preeminence is relatively recent. There is no guarantee that US schools will continue to lead the world a century from now. In fact, American supremacy in higher education is facing significant challenges, particularly at its public universities.

On the other hand, Chinese universities are experiencing a remarkable ascent. Thirty years ago, Chinese institutions were reopening after the catastrophic Cultural Revolution. Today, they are among the most innovative educational centers in the world.

The question of whether China will threaten American primacy is a topic of considerable interest. Empires of Ideas, a book by William C. Kirby, explores the past two hundred years to provide insights into this question. Kirby examines the successes of leading universities in Germany, the United States, and China to determine how they rose to prominence and what threats they currently face.

Kirby draws illuminating comparisons between the trajectories of three Chinese contenders: Tsinghua University, Nanjing University, and the University of Hong Kong. These institutions aim to become world-class institutions that can compete with the best the United States and Europe have to offer.

However, Chinese institutions also face obstacles. Kirby analyzes the challenges that Chinese academic leaders must confront, such as reinvesting in undergraduate teaching, developing a more diverse faculty, and addressing issues related to academic freedom and intellectual property.

Overall, Empires of Ideas provides a thought-provoking exploration of the history and future of higher education, particularly in the context of China's rise. It sheds light on the challenges and opportunities facing universities around the world and offers valuable insights into the future of global education.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674737716