The historical path that led to the American system of institutional diversity in higher education is examined, and its positive (e.g., institutional autonomy, flexibility) and negative (e.g., possible over-responsiveness to short-term pressures) consequences are discussed. Issues in the privatization of higher education systems in other countries…

Some of the reasons for the comparative decline of the elite sector are analyzed, including (1) the historical transition from elite to mass access to universal higher education, (2) the politicization of higher education, and (3) the increasing submergence of higher education under external social controls. The preservation of an elite or "highly…