Globalization and Change in Higher Education, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2017
The Political Economy of Policy Reform in Europe

This book sets out political economy explanations for higher education policy reform in Europe in the initial decades of the 21st century. With a sustained focus on the national level of policy implementation, institutional change is considered in relationship to broader trends in economic development and globalization. Since the concept of a ?Europe of Knowledge? was presented by the European Commission in 1997, the pursuit of global competitiveness sets the context for the international initiative of the Bologna Process that has created the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Growing from 29 to 48 participating countries, there are three core explanations for change in the policy process: globalization (economic), intergovernmentalism (political), and Europeanization (social). As part of multi-method research analysis, this book presents qualitative case studies on Portugal and Spain to consider points of comparison, including national governance history and modernization of higher education institutions. The structure of government in these countries affects the policy reforms. Ultimately, the Bologna Process serves as a model for integration of higher education reform in other world regions. This book is essential reading for students, researchers, and policy makers in the fields of education, economics, and public policy.

Beverly Barrett is Lecturer at the Cameron School of Business at the University of St. Thomas, USA.  Her research focuses on regional integration, international trade, governance, and higher education policy. She was Visiting Faculty in International Business at UDLAP (Universidad de las Américas Puebla), a US-accredited university in Mexico. Prior to this she was Visiting Assistant Professor and Lecturer in Global Studies at the Bauer College of Business and at the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston.