The Handbook on the Politics of Higher Education reveals valuable new perspectives for understanding higher education. Higher education plays an ever-greater role in contemporary life, creating innovation, skills, prosperity, and wellbeing, and is therefore of increasing importance to understand.

Crafted as a sophisticated entry point, this Handbook takes a wide look at the topic, the state of contemporary research, and future directions. An array of expert international contributors examine important and contentious issues such as who should pay, how to keep higher education accountable, the assurance of quality, boosting productivity and affordability, and the role of states and markets. Experts explain how universities relate to states and societies, the political economy of higher education, planning and resource allocation, regulation and quality, and the politics of stakeholder interests.

Unpacking key issues for both researchers new to the sector and experts alike, this topical Handbook will prove essential and thought-provoking reading for government policymakers, social science researchers, higher education executives, as well as instructors of graduate courses.

Contributors include: B. Cantwell, H. Coates, A. Boggs, J. Brennan, A. Calderon, D.G. Carew, B. Chapman, G. Croucher, G. Davis, R. Deem, T. Depaola, D. Dohmen, R. Fearnside, C.A. Goldman, A. Grimm, E. Halford, T. Hicks, E. Jerez, B. Jongbloed, A. Kezar, R. King, M. Klemencic, D. Kristoffersen, M. Krongkaew, S. Lee, B. Lepori, M. Lodge, R. Middlehurst, K. Moore, Å. Olsson, B.Y. Park, A. Pettigrew, S. Popenici, B. Pusser, S. Robertson, P. Rohan, C. Sá, E. Sabzalieva, D. Van Damme, M. Van Der Wende, M. Vukasovic, R. Wagenaar, S.U. Weerakkody, M. Wells, R. Yang, C. Ziguras