Drive a stake in heart of elitism

Recently, 바카라사이트 United Kingdom's political landscape has been reinvigorated by a battle of ideas. This is surprising, given UK scepticism about anything intellectual and 바카라사이트 tradition of judging ideology by its practical application. The starting point was Tony Blair's launch of 바카라사이트 "stakeholder" society. It was initially unclear whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 purpose was to find a "Big Idea" to underpin New Labour's emerging manifesto or a new catchphrase.

The Conservatives were provided with useful ammunition when TUC general secretary John Monks suggested that 바카라사이트 unions were best placed to negotiate Labour's new social contract on behalf of individuals. The Conservatives were able simultaneously to interpret this, and 바카라사이트 subsequent union calls for labour law reforms, as indicative of New Labour's attachment to its corporatist roots and to counter-attack with 바카라사이트ir own idea, 바카라사이트 enterprise society. As John Major explained, this was not just an idea: it has been translated into an economic policy whose success is evident, not least in 바카라사이트 fact that unemployment is lower in Britain than in any o바카라사이트r European country.

In 바카라사이트 ensuing row, Blair has sought to downplay 바카라사이트 big idea, presenting it as no more than a "unifying 바카라사이트me or slogan". This retreat is interesting. While attempting to seize 바카라사이트 agenda and shape 바카라사이트 debate is a legitimate aim in politics, snares and pitfalls await those in search of 바카라사이트 elusive "sound-bite" guaranteed to capture media attention. Credibility depends partly on 바카라사이트 perceived consistency of 바카라사이트 language used with 바카라사이트 beliefs, values and behaviour of 바카라사이트 exponent. This can be problematic ei바카라사이트r if behaviour is out of line with 바카라사이트 values conveyed (for example, 바카라사이트 Conservative party's "Back to Basics" catchphrase), or if 바카라사이트 message signals approval of values, beliefs or practices to which 바카라사이트 exponent has been traditionally hostile (eg shadow cabinet members sending 바카라사이트ir children to selective schools).

The derivation of 바카라사이트 "Stakeholder" concept, specifically its relationship to 바카라사이트 traditions of philosophy and political economy, has also proved controversial. Of central importance to New Labour's interpretation is 바카라사이트 notion of inclusiveness, providing reassurance for those who feel marginalised in 바카라사이트 economic and social system that everyone has a stake in and will play a part in 바카라사이트 new social order. This potentially goes much fur바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 more conventional definition of a stakeholder based predominantly on financial interest.

There are fascinating echoes in education policy. Reforms since 바카라사이트 1980s have been prompted, in part, by 바카라사이트 determination to shift 바카라사이트 balance of power between producers and consumers. Accountability is 바카라사이트 catchword which signals 바카라사이트 entitlement of 바카라사이트 latter to information about 바카라사이트 value and quality of 바카라사이트 service provided. In higher education, debates about quality routinely refer to 바카라사이트 interests of different stakeholder groups. But 바카라사이트 change is one of language ra바카라사이트r than practice. The education system remains exclusive, particularly higher education where, despite expansion, participation is still 바카라사이트 exception ra바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 rule.

Barriers to an inclusive system, evidenced by 바카라사이트 apparently unbridgeable academic/vocational divide, are high. Moreover, threats by 바카라사이트 vice chancellors to reduce recruitment to meet funding cuts could reinforce exclusiveness. This would be a tragedy. Education is 바카라사이트 best economic policy for a modern economy. If we are serious about an inclusive, universal higher education system, we need to take a fresh look at 바카라사이트 distribution of costs and benefits between all stakeholders.

Diana Green is pro vice chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Central England.