Global Social Justice, Democracy and Leadership of Higher Education: An Introduction

Abstract

As higher education institutions (HEIs) are faced with increasing pressures to restructure and change their organization in line with global institutional demands, the foundational assumptions on which their leadership and governance are based are called into question. The basis of this book initiates from an assumption about an inherent democratic nature of higher education governance, whereby those who practise in HEI institutions are involved in deciding, as well as questioning, the ways in which the foundations of higher education are materialized through reform processes. Much leadership literature is focused on building a corporate university that is able to respond to market principles, economic ideology driven policies and practices, alliances with big business and industry, and strategies to internationalize for increased revenue. We take a critical approach to understanding higher education leadership and governance within this global context. The overarching questions asked in this book are: how has higher education come to be assembled in contemporary governance practices within the context of global demands for reform; and how are issues of justice being taken up as part of, and in resistance to, this assemblage?