Universities and Civilizations: Worldwide Academic Competition and Geopolitics

Description

Since the publication of the first Shanghai ranking in 2003, the international rankings of universities have become evermore important. This book examines the evolution of higher education systems and the role of universities in contemporary societies, which are marked by increased competition and tensions. Investigating whether the dynamism of large universities is an accurate indicator of the intellectual life of their civilizations, Universities and Civilizations systematically analyzes the evolution of universities in several main rankings, from their creation until now. This analysis shows the rise of universities in China and parts of Europe, the decline of American and Japanese universities and the scant presence of universities in Russia, India, Africa and Latin America. This book suggests an overhaul of traditional models of academic cooperation and exchange in an era of growing international tensions and a time when people and knowledge are increasingly mobile. Cover Half-Title Page Dedication Title Page Copyright Page Contents Foreword Preface: Elements of Genesis Acknowledgements 1. The Origin of a Triptych 1.1. The sun is shining in Berkeley 1.2. Fukuyama versus Huntington: the revenge of civilizations in the 21st Century 1.3. The role of universities in the race for global intellectual leadership 1.4. Why? Where? How? 2. Why? 2.1. The purpose of universities 2.2. International rankings and world academic elite 2.3. What is the role of a leading university? 2.4. What are the reasons for the intellectual arms race? 3. Where? 3.1. The “Big Four” and their methodologies 3.2. Analysis of the Top 20 3.3. Analysis of the Top 200 3.4. Analysis of the Top 1000 4. How? From Russia with 5-100 4.1. The land of the Tsars, of snow and Doctor Zhivago 4.2. The Russian excellence initiative: the 5-100 program 4.3. The results of the 5-100 program in 2019 4.4. Obstacles to Russian academic excellence 4.5. Analysis and options: brain, heart and soul 5. Conclusion: Analysis and Perspectives 5.1. Winners of the race for global academic leadership 5.2. Europe – Paul Valéry’s anticipation 5.3. Universities for what? Automation, demographics and flow 5.4. Work and occupation: the need for a political project 5.5. Western civilization – the judgment of “elementary particles” Appendices Appendix 1: Huntington’s Country –Civilization Dictionary Appendix 2: Top 20 Rankings Appendix 3: Top 200 Rankings Appendix 4: Top 1000 Rankings Appendix 5: Continental and Western Europe Appendix 6: Europe: 5 + 1 Notes, Insertions and Tangents References Index Other titles from iSTE in Knowledge Management EULA