Skip to main content

The Links Between Universities and the Broader Economic System



In this week’s readings, we read articles about the interconnections or links between higher education and the broader economy of the nation-state, in this case, the United States. Higher education, specifically, universities and colleges, have always play a significant role in shaping the economic landscape of a nation. In fact, the two extremes; that is, higher education and the economy are two aspects of the same coin and they can affect each other overtime. The following paragraphs are summaries of the main points that were briefly discussed in each articles related to the role of universities within the broader context of the economic system.

Galuszka’s made a compelling argument that state-run institutions of higher education have provided proven track records of excellence in various disciplines that are offer on their campuses specifically in Virginia and California. He asserted that there have been signification decreases in funding for state-run universities and colleges, which have impacted the cost of tuition imbalances between instate and out of state students. He added that this new paradigm has contributed to the low acceptance rate of instate students over out-of-state students who tend to pay more tuition. Galuszka also added that allowing the market to determine the price of college education is detrimental to the economy and institutions at large. However, economic liberalists would argue that allowing the market to determine the cost of tuition follow by less government intervention in the educational sector and other systems would promote efficient and competitive universities nationwide and in the long run, it would benefit the economy, a view that Galuszka’s article did not seem to agree with.

The Robertson’s article takes a similar approach, but asserts that in the midst of the declining funding for state colleges and universities and the current instability of the global economy, there is a need to restructure how financing higher education should be addressed. Unlike Galuszka, Robertson argues that allowing the market to determine the cost of college education would be an effective mechanism for colleges and universities to sustain their current programs and services in the midst of this harsh and unstable global economy.

The Stephens and McCauley’s article focuses on the utilization of sustainable green clustering and socio-technical transitions model as a mechanisms for effecting positive change in achieving sustainable energy transitions. The goal of their study is to enhance and promote the advancement of the socio-technical transitions towards green energy sustainability for regional development building one the theoretical frameworks of agglomeration of economies in relations to their proximity. In view of the widespread and universal occurrences of sustainable green clusters, Stephens and McCauley concluded that, it is essential to consider the advantages the model is worth and not just the promotion and enhancement of the green economy paradigm. They added that it sets the pace for achieving and facilitating the way for a more energy sustainable future.

The Kamenetz’s article on “College on Credit” dives into the issues and challenges of college financing by exploring increases in the cost of college education and how the cost of college education have skyrocket over the years. He argued that even though the cost of college education continue to increase almost every year, little has been done to restructure the process and product of the process. That is, the usual instructional environment in most colleges and universities where we still have the professor-centric approach in which a professor leads the instructional process and in some cases with minimum technological interventions; that is, with the use of PowerPoint presentations. He also noted that the increase in the cost of college education in recent years can be attributed in part to the retrofitting of college campuses and the inclusion of some technologies, modernized food courts as well as sport centers and libraries to make these campuses more accessible to the market of incoming college students. 

Works Cited

Galuszka, Peter (2011). "The Invisible Hand of William & Mary?" Washington Post

Kamenetz (2006). Chapter 2: College On Credit."

McCauley, S. M and Stephens J. C. (2012). "Green energy clusters and socio-technical transitions: analysis of a sustainable energy cluster for regional economic development in Central Massachusetts, USA." Springer, Sustainability Science, Vol. 1, No. 1. ISBN:1862-4065


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Regenerative Agriculture through Drip Irrigation Systems, Three-Sisters Garden Model and Small-scale Animal Farming: A Reflection from the Past

Drip Irrigation installed about 30cm away from raised-beds at a height of 1m. Source: RESPECT Ghana The world is presently experiencing major changes that have been largely linked to anthropogenic activities and these changes influence the climate systems, leads to variations in the Earth's climate systems. “Global Warming” is causing many devastating changes in the earth’s global climate systems which also have significant implications on landforms, biodiversity, water systems, and atmospheric system. There is a need to take drastic actions now, if our species is to survive throughout the next 25 years. In order to continue to survive as a species, there is a need for us to become more proactive both at the local, national, and international levels on how we use our energy sources for a more sustainable future. A future that not only define our species, but also take into careful account our neighbors the plants, animals, water, land, air, and all those microscopic li

A Classical Theory Paper on The Movie "Brazil."

Source: URL:  http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2013/02/the-terry-gilliam-retrospective-part-3.html The Criterion Edition of the 1985 movie known as ‘Brazil’ detailed significant classical theoretical concepts of Max Weber. The paper discussed how specific scenes and dialogues in the movie are related to Weber’s view of the world from a theoretical perspective. Source:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wh2b1eZFUM Weber (1864-1920) was a pessimistic classical theorist unlike Karl Marx (1818-1883) who was more optimistic about events occurring in society. He believes that society will gradually become difficult and there is nothing that we can do to fix it. His theory was based on two ultimate themes which are reflected in his entire theoretical thesis: firstly, “the emergence of capitalism as the dominant form of organization in the West and secondly, the relationship between ideas and actions” (McQuaid, summer 1 Lecture, 09). These two components of Weber’s theoretical wor

Ethics, Human Conduct and Values: Slavery’s Pleasant Homes

  Ethics, Human Conduct and Values: Slavery’s Pleasant Homes         Slavery’s Pleasant Homes told by L. M. Child is a sorrowful story that presents a clear picture of how racism, slavery, marriage, and classism as institutions were used by Frederic Dalcho to oppress and humiliate George, Rosa, Mars and Marion. The purpose of this paper is to discuss, investigate and analyze all the major elements in the story and how these elements can be linked to the various characters such as Frederic and George Dalcho, Mars, Marion and Rosa. This paper seeks to investigate who is morally culpable for perpetrating the worst thing that humanity has ever encounter. It is also my goal to recommend possible power structures that can be substituted for those  which existed in the story. I also attempt to address current sexist, racist and classist practices that are demonstrated in the United States and how these practices promote and encourage oppression, male supremacy, vi