Entrepreneurs of the self
Symbolic capital and social (Re)production in the neoliberal knowledge economy
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12725614 |
|---|---|
| Authors | M D Smith (0000-0003-4492-1648, Kwansei Gakuin University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 184-194 |
| Publication date | 2022-06-16 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Globalisation Societies and Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1476-7724 • E-ISSN: 1476-7732 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/14767724.2022.2089975 |
| OpenAlex | W4283027179 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 7 |
| References cited | 47 |
This conceptual study examines the neoliberal knowledge economy as a dimension of globalisation policy within East Asian higher education. In exploring the practice of linguistic instrumentalisation, this inquiry aims to demonstrate the influence of English on the hereditary reproduction of social class. Calling on the theories of Pierre Bourdieu and Michel Foucault, this inquiry explores the interplay between one’s hereditary and ultimate class membership and how proficiency in English mediates this hierarchy. Reinforced by a doxic knowledge of the ‘entrepreneurial’ credential ladder, aptitude in English represents a ‘weapon’ of empowerment (symbolic capital), used to certify and signal global readiness. Nevertheless, the meritocratic ‘freedom of choice’ leitmotiv supporting neoliberal governmentality fails to rationalise not only the class-conscious capitals that enable foreign language education but the ideological agendas that inhibit agency in such a manner as choosing English remains contingent rather than free. Given the economic benefits associated with EFL proficiency, this inquiry foregrounds inherited social class within its analysis, moving towards a deeper engagement with the socio-economic dimensions of foreign language education and the processes by which education is (further) reduced to strengthening pre-existing power relations
Agency (philosophy · Cultural capital · Economics · Governmentality · Ideology · Market economy · Meritocracy · Neoliberalism (international relations · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Social capital · Social reproduction · Social science · Sociology · Symbolic capital · Symbolic power · Global Education and Multiculturalism · Global Educational Policies and Reforms · Higher Education Governance and Development
The Cultural Politics of English as an International Language
New Labour's double-shuffle
Handbook of theory and research for the sociology of education
Knowledge, Education, and Cultural Change
Distinction
Challenges of adapting to organizational culture
Social Reproduction as Language Policy
English in Taiwan
The Economic Approach to Human Behavior
Language testing in Asia
English language education among young learners in East Asia
English
Social Class, Habitus, and Language Learning
English or perish
The Entrepreneurial Self and ‘Youth at-risk’
English proficiency matters’
Much ado about ranking
Becoming International
The end of the credential society? An analysis of the relationship between education and the labour market using big data
In defence of the welfare state and publicly provided education
Neoliberalism, higher education and the knowledge economy
More than good executives
Is exam hell the cause of high academic achievement in East Asia? The case of Japan and the case for transcending stereotypes
English, Tracking, and Neoliberalization of Education in South Korea
The Birth of Biopolitics
Inter- and intra-regional dynamics on the idea of universities in East Asia
Neoliberalism as language policy
Flexible Citizenship
Skills and selves in the new workplace
| Unique citing works | 7 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2,33 |
| Citation span | 2023 - 2026 (4) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 7 |