From Economic Theory to Benchmarks: The Building of a European Expertise in Higher Education

The European Higher Education Area is regulated by new governing tools (indicators, rankings, benchmarks, etc.) on behalf of effectiveness, performance and the market. Investment in human capital, innovation systems and new production of knowledge are valued by some economists as potentialities for competitiveness and “positive externalities” able to create competitive regional spaces, local learning networks and to enhance employment and growth. In this communication, we will present some key-concepts used by economists to provide expertise on Knowledge-based Economy and Lifelong Learning to European policy-makers. Close to the reformist Left, they defend the market and the intervention of private actors within European Higher Education systems. They occupy important positions among International Organizations and expert networks and they have also advisory roles for national policy-making. After describing the relationship between economic theories and European expertise, we will demonstrate how it legitimizes the adoption of new indicators and benchmarks for the European Higher Education Area. This expertise enables economists, as political entrepreneurs, to influence the European agenda in maintaining close ties with the European Commission’s policy-makers.