New Treason of the Intellectuals: Can the University Survive?

Governments and the political class have betrayed the university for forty years, redirecting it from its social and cultural functions to advance a market-fundamentalist ideology. Thomas Docherty exposes the forces behind modern university 'reform' and calls on intellectuals to extend democracy and social justice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 18 June 2018
Publisher: Manchester University Press

The university faces a grave threat, having been systematically betrayed for forty years by governments and the political class. These individuals have diverted the institution from its rightful social and cultural roles, redirecting it towards a relentless program of financialization. Drawing inspiration from Julien Bendas's seminal polemical essay from 1927, Thomas Docherty unveils the forces driving modern university reform. He exposes how the sector has become politicized, serving explicitly to advance a market-fundamentalist ideology that perpetuates a growing divide between ordinary citizens and the privileged and wealthy. In response to this alarming situation, the intellectual and the university have an urgent responsibility to extend democracy and social justice.

Looking towards the future, Docherty concludes the book with seven hypotheses that form the basis of a manifesto. He implores intellectuals across the globe to rally together in support of the survival of the species.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 148 x 222 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526132741