Knowledge, Education and Power: The Democratic Republic of Capitalism

In this chapter, we turn our critical gaze to our own industry: higher education. It looks at the rampant marketisation and what it means for the generations of students who are ‘buying’ their futures. From the hike in student fees in the UK and the predatory student loan system on both sides of the Atlantic to the new academic entrepreneurs eager to capitalise on this growing industry. Central to this discussion is the realisation that with all lucrative and contemptible industries, the conditions are created that nurture corruption, and much can be exploited; the corrupt university senior executives and those running Ponzi schemes are just a few of the examples that are focused on. An investigation of the repercussions faced by academics who refuse to bend their knee to university executives whose main concern is market forces and a critical discussion surrounding academic freedom and integrity frames this important chapter.