Discord Dissected: The ‘New University’ and some of its Discontents

Abstract

When weighing up the impact of legislation, it is useful to distinguish between the immediate thrust of the legislator’s intent on the one hand and on the other the significance of the measures enacted for those who see themselves ‘having reform done to them’. Accordingly, this examination of the Law of 10 August 2007 and the ways in which the French model of the Evaluative State was re-shaped as a result will be split into two parts. The first part focuses on the formal provisions contained in this Law. The second part pays particular attention to the implications that arise for the future shape of higher education in France as perceived by two of the three Estates in higher education’s Constituent Order — the Academic and Student Estates.