Priority to the power of ideas: an evaluation of the Green Paper on higher education

Abstract

The Green Paper, Higher Education into the 1990s is examined in the light of changes in higher education in both Britain and Europe. The point is stressed that the phase of expansion without structural change has ended. Reasons for the sense of crisis which pervade higher education in Britain are noted briefly prior to a description of the main contents of the Green Paper. Some of the criticisms levelled at the Green Paper are referred to. The main criticism outlined here is that the policies of the Green Paper are inconsistent with the goals it seeks to achieve and destructive of educational life chances, particularly of potential students from a working class background. Educational values are being eroded in the interests of political and economic expediency.