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The Perception of Higher Education as a Public Good: The Case of Hong Kong

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Redefining Asia Pacific Higher Education in Contexts of Globalization: Private Markets and the Public Good

Part of the book series: International and Development Education ((INTDE))

Abstract

Higher education has long been seen as a public good that is crucial for the development of a nation-state and the generation of wealth. However, recent years have witnessed growing public concerns in many developed economies over the quality and marketization of higher education. Through an original telephone survey of a representative sample of Hong Kong’s population, this chapter discusses the public perception toward higher education in one of Asia’s global cities. The results suggest that the majority of the population considers higher education as a private good in which the students should be largely responsible for the cost of their education. Further analyses suggest that this perception is more popular among those who have received less education and have a lower income.

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Authors
  1. Siu-yau Lee
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Azusa Pacific University, USA

    Christopher S. Collins (Assistant Professor) (Assistant Professor)

  2. University of Hawaii, Manoa, USA

    Deane E. Neubauer (Emeritus Professor of Political Science) (Emeritus Professor of Political Science)

Copyright information

© 2015 Siu-yau Lee

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Lee, Sy. (2015). The Perception of Higher Education as a Public Good: The Case of Hong Kong. In: Collins, C.S., Neubauer, D.E. (eds) Redefining Asia Pacific Higher Education in Contexts of Globalization: Private Markets and the Public Good. International and Development Education. Palgrave Pivot, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137559203_2

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