Abstract
Calls for sustaining and increasing investment in higher education are often made on the basis that higher education is a `public good'. The idea of higher education as a public good is frequently conceptualized in terms of its contribution to economic development. If more people participate in higher education then society as a whole will benefit.
Outside of the economic benefits of higher education there is less debate as to what is meant by `public good' in the context of higher education. This paper explores higher education as a public good and its role in realizing the public good (Jonathan 2001).
With particular reference to Ireland, this paper also looks at the impact of conceptualizing the `public good' role of higher education from an economic perspective, and what this implies for students, higher education institutions and society.
Recommended Citation
Fisher, Sandra
(2005)
"Is There a Need to Debate the Role of Higher Education and the Public Good?,"
Level 3:
Vol. 3:
Iss.
1, Article 1.
doi:10.21427/D77B16
Available at:
https://arrow.tudublin.ie/level3/vol3/iss1/1
DOI
10.21427/D77B16