La recherche et l'enseignement supérieur dans un système fédéral : la nécessité d'une Charte européenne des universités

The need to increase the level of resources channelled to fundamental research and higher education is broadly acknowledged. These two activities have all of the characteristics of collective or public goods: they thus need to be primarily funded with public money. Traditional economic theory suggest that the responsibility for financing research should be given to the authority with the widest jurisdiction: the one that best corresponds to the natural dissemination area of research outcomes. More recent developments of the economic theory can also help identify ways of improving the governance of universities. Finally, securing a better financing for the highest segments of higher education requires the adoption a European University Charter. The latter would guarantee adequate and stable funding in the medium term, and allow the sector to achieve its missions. This charter should also help universities clarify their governance methods.