In this title, Ronald Barnett argues that ideologies are now multiplying on campus and that, consequently, the university as a place of open debate and reason is in jeopardy. The book examines, as case studies, the ideologies of competition, quality, entrepreneurialism and managerialism. All of these movements have a positive potential but, in being pressed forward unduly, have become pernicious ideologies that are threatening to undermine the university. Barnett argues that it is possible to realize the university by addressing the ideals present in the idea of the university, and so developing positive projects for the university. These "utopian ideologies" may never be fully realized but, pursued seriously, they can counter the pernicious ideologies that beset the university. In this way, it is possible for the idea of the university to live on and be practised in the 21st century. This work offers a bold optimistic statement about the future of universities and offers ideas for enabling universities to be "universities" in the contemporary age. It should be of interest and value not just to students of higher education but also to vice-chancellors, administrators, academics generally and those who care about the future of universities.

Author Biography

Ronald Barnett is Professor of Higher Education at the Institute of Education, University of London where, from 1994 to 2001, he was also Dean of Professional Development. His books include The Idea of Higher Education, The Limits of Competence and Realizing the University in an age of supercomplexity (all published by Open University Press).