The university in the knowledge society era: transformations, contradictions, and new responsibilities

In contemporary capitalism, a knowledge society tale emerges at the junction of technological and economic determinisms. From a sociological perspective, it must be challenged analysing the relationships between education and class. In this regard, two secular trends are observed. First, prestigious higher education diplomas are of paramount importance for access to the economic elite today. This strengthens ties between the capitalist economy and universities and contributes to transformations in higher education. Second, tertiary education loses its traditional social distinction effect and spaces of social reproduction protected from education competition narrow or even disappear. Hence, there is a strong devaluation of popular culture and working-class knowledge. Both trends put universities at centre stage of major societal transformations. Academics are both threatened and empowered by these trends. The knowledge society tale offers them a reassuring image of their callings, vis-à-vis the economic elite as well as the dominated classes.