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A critical exploration of changing definitions of public good in relation to higher education

Williams, Joanna (2016) A critical exploration of changing definitions of public good in relation to higher education. Studies in Higher Education, 41 (4). pp. 619-630. ISSN 0307-5079. (doi:10.1080/03075079.2014.942270) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:45208)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2014.942270

Abstract

Discussion of the relationship between higher education (HE) and public good can be traced to Kant's argument that universities critically held society to account. Mill, Newman and Arnold suggested knowledge itself was a public good. In the twentieth century, economists argued education could drive national technological progress. More recently the public good of HE has been linked to social justice through increasing social mobility. In this paper I explore how the definition of public good has shifted over time and how UK government HE policies have incorporated these changes. I argue policy shifts have had an impact in altering the social contract between universities and the state. I suggest that current policy and practice is moving universities away from Arendt's notion that educators have a moral and social responsibility to inculcate new generations into the pre-existing knowledge of society and onto more individualised outcomes.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/03075079.2014.942270
Uncontrolled keywords: public good, knowledge, individualism, values, policy, society
Subjects: L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Divisions: Divisions > Directorate of Education > Centre for the Study of Higher Education
Depositing User: Joanna Williams
Date Deposited: 21 Nov 2014 14:24 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2022 12:20 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/45208 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Williams, Joanna.

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