European policy of higher education in XX century: from State to market

Abstract

In studying social policy, education often takes centre stage and its study is often marked by two main approaches; the first a comparative study of varying practises in different countries, the second is based on historical and cultural foundations that underpin these differences. Rather than an expert analysis of Russian education policy, this article deals with the development of concepts of public policies in higher education in European countries during the twentieth century. This allows us to see common trends in the European experience and the current evolution of education policy in Russia. The article is based on the work of Western sociologists and political analysts of the 20^th century. The author traces the emergence of the key political ideas about the importance of state support for higher education in connection with the post-war ideologies of economic nationalism and the welfare state. After this, the reasons for the gradual "roll back" of the State in higher education and the revision of policy instruments from direct government intervention toward market and self-regulation policy mechanisms are discussed. The key period in this process is seen to the 1970’s, when world economic processes came to exert an influence in domestic social policy throughout the developed world and many of the ideological positions that supported both economic nationalism and the welfare state were either destroyed or subjected to serious pressure. The final part of the article concerns the transformation of higher education policy through the eighties and nineties, bringing institutional change and a new conception of how higher education should be funded, occupying a role somewhere between the market, state support and economic self-sufficiency. As such, education policy has experienced serious institutional change, moving from an elite body to one that provides mass education for all citizens. It has also began an adaptation to new methods for funding this and achieving economic efficiency in outcomes.