Rethinking Higher Education and the Crisis of Legitimation in Europe

Higher education is a public good essential to social democracy, but it is being eroded by neoliberalism and the delegitimation of public goods and services. It is crucial for democratic societies and requires public investment in social goods provision in a post-pandemic world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 162 pages
Publication date: 29 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Importance of Higher Education as a Pivotal Public Good for Social Democracy

Higher education is a critical public good that plays a pivotal role in the development and sustenance of social democracy. It is essential for promoting equality, social mobility, and social cohesion, as well as for fostering critical thinking, creativity, and innovation. In this essay, we will examine the political, economic, and cultural erosion of public institutions by neoliberalism and the delegitimation by design of public goods and services. We will also restate the value and goal of higher education for democratic societies and the need for public investment in social goods provision in a post-pandemic world.

The political erosion of public institutions by neoliberalism has had a profound impact on higher education. Neoliberal policies have led to the privatization of education, the commodification of knowledge, and the reduction of public funding for higher education. This has resulted in a decline in the quality of education, the increase in student debt, and the erosion of academic freedom. Neoliberal policies have also led to the concentration of power in the hands of private corporations, which have been able to influence curriculum development, research funding, and employment opportunities.

The economic erosion of public institutions by neoliberalism has also had a significant impact on higher education. Neoliberal policies have led to the deregulation of the financial sector, which has resulted in a global financial crisis and a decline in public funding for higher education. This has led to a rise in tuition fees, the reduction of government subsidies, and the erosion of public access to higher education. Neoliberal policies have also led to the growth of the for-profit education sector, which has been criticized for its focus on profit rather than on quality education.

The cultural erosion of public institutions by neoliberalism has also had a profound impact on higher education. Neoliberal policies have led to the commodification of knowledge, which has resulted in the reduction of public funding for the arts, humanities, and social sciences. This has led to a decline in the quality of research in these fields and the erosion of public interest in these subjects. Neoliberal policies have also led to the growth of a culture of individualism and consumerism, which has been criticized for its focus on self-interest rather than on social responsibility.

In a post-pandemic world, the importance of higher education as a pivotal public good for social democracy becomes even more apparent. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of our public institutions and the importance of investing in social goods provision. Higher education is a critical social good that can help to promote social mobility, reduce inequality, and foster social cohesion. It can also help to promote critical thinking, creativity, and innovation, which are essential for addressing the challenges of a post-pandemic world.

However, the erosion of public institutions by neoliberalism has made it difficult for higher education to fulfill its role as a pivotal public good. The privatization of education has led to a decline in the quality of education, the increase in student debt, and the erosion of academic freedom. The commodification of knowledge has led to the reduction of public funding for the arts, humanities, and social sciences, which has resulted in a decline in the quality of research in these fields and the erosion of public interest in these subjects.

To address these challenges, it is essential for public institutions to invest in higher education. This can be done through increased public funding for higher education, the creation of public-private partnerships, and the promotion of public-sector innovation. Public institutions can also work to promote the value of higher education to democratic societies and to ensure that it is accessible to all.

In conclusion, higher education is a critical public good that plays a pivotal role in the development and sustenance of social democracy. The political, economic, and cultural erosion of public institutions by neoliberalism has had a profound impact on higher education. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of investing in higher education as a critical social good. By increasing public funding for higher education, creating public-private partnerships, and promoting public-sector innovation, public institutions can help to ensure that higher education is accessible to all and that it fulfills its role as a pivotal public good for social democracy.

Weight: 234g
Dimension: 138 x 215 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032281346