TY - JOUR
T1 - Entrepreneurs of the self
T2 - symbolic capital and social (Re)production in the neoliberal knowledge economy
AU - Smith, Michael D.
PY - 2022/6/16
Y1 - 2022/6/16
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Bourdieu
KW - East Asia
KW - foucault
KW - knowledge economy
KW - neoliberal governmentality
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85132440833&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/14767724.2022.2089975
DO - 10.1080/14767724.2022.2089975
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85132440833
SN - 1476-7724
JO - Globalisation, Societies and Education
JF - Globalisation, Societies and Education
ER -