Of Serfs and Lords: Why College Tuition is Creating a Debtor Class

The book "The Debtor Class" identifies the causes of rising college tuitions and offers reforms to remake higher education, advocating for changes in hiring, contracts, and government and private lending. It argues that the current system creates a debtor class of Serfs studying dubious majors, leading to institutions hunting revenue to feed the elite class.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 164 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2018
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

This book delves into the underlying causes of the soaring college tuitions, unveiling a complex system of policies, practices, and regulations that have transformed higher education into an inefficient system that prioritizes the interests of the tenured class and professional educators over those of the students. Through the use of statistics, analysis, and compelling examples, the author identifies and exposes the culprit behind these tuition increases as structural and cultural liberalism, which has imposed a burdensome tax on students and tuition payers. This inefficiency, referred to as the tenure tax, has resulted in a system that fails to provide value for its stakeholders.

The book takes a critical look at the current system and proposes reforms aimed at revitalizing higher education. It advocates for significant changes in the way institutions hire and contract with professors, as well as the role of government and private lending in financing education. The thesis of the book is straightforward: the current system is creating a debtor class of Serfs, who are pursuing dubious majors that are not valuable in the job market. This has led to institutions engaging in revenue-generating practices to sustain and reward the elite class, including the faculty and administrators, who have assumed the role of Lords in this educational feudal system.

The book offers a comprehensive analysis of the challenges facing higher education and provides actionable solutions to address them. It challenges the notion that higher education is solely a means of economic advancement and emphasizes the importance of education as a tool for personal growth and societal development. The author advocates for a shift towards a more student-centered approach to education, where students are empowered to make informed decisions about their education and career paths.

Furthermore, the book proposes reforms that aim to reduce the reliance on tuition as a source of revenue for institutions. It suggests that institutions should prioritize investing in quality education, rather than relying on high tuition fees to attract students. This can be achieved through measures such as increasing financial aid, improving the quality of teaching and learning, and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.

The book also highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the higher education system. It calls for institutions to be more open about their financial operations, academic standards, and student outcomes. This can be achieved through the establishment of independent oversight bodies, the publication of academic performance metrics, and the promotion of student-centered governance structures.

In conclusion, this book is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the causes of rising college tuitions and the urgent need for reform. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges facing higher education and offers practical solutions that can help to transform the system into a more equitable and effective one. By advocating for a student-centered approach to education, reducing the reliance on tuition as a source of revenue, and promoting greater transparency and accountability, this book offers a roadmap for creating a more prosperous and sustainable future for higher education.

Weight: 254g
Dimension: 155 x 228 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781475837902