Neoliberalism’s influence on American universities: How the business model harms students and society

Abstract

The influence of neoliberalism on colleges and universities leads to conditions that make it difficult for students from low-income families to profit from higher education. It contributes to a less rigorous learning environment and to other consequences that harm various groups of people. This article focuses on how the corporate model that neoliberal ideology promotes leads universities to implement practices that prevent marginalized groups from benefitting from the higher education system. In addition, it mentions how these practices contribute to a less-than-optimal learning environment for many students and to other negative outcomes. Finally, it offers examples of different kinds of activism that can reduce the deleterious effects of neoliberalism.