DIMINISHED STATES? NATIONAL POWER IN EUROPEAN EDUCATION POLICY

ABSTRACT: 

The increasing research on international organisations’ education policy lacks analyses of the relation between international organisations and nation states. This paper aims to analyse the power of nation states in international education policy. Focusing on the new degree system in higher education in Europe, partly from Foucault's governmentality perspective, the paper suggests that nation states retain power while operating in international settings. The study's conclusions argue that the nation states’ power might be a chance for further participation of affected people.

Keywords:

• education policy
• governmentality
• Bologna Process

5. Acknowledgements

I am indebted to the insightful and incisive comments on an earlier version of the article made by Paul Croll and two anonymous reviewers.