| Abstract: | This article provides a conceptual assessment of the changing and potential uses of the American university to the national education system and to the development of the so‐called learning society. The author argues that the role played by American universities over the past fifty years in the domain of research and development gave rise to interuniversity competition that has been marked by a high level of innovation and change. Moreover, the university will continue to be a source of new ideas during the current trend of reduced budgets, increased accountability, and a more diversified and fragmented educational system. In spite of political constraints, examples exist of programmes within the university system that are both financially feasible and progressive in regard to the aims of the learning society. An example of an innovative programme, the Interactive Electronic Classroom of the New School for Social Research (New York City) is provided. |
