The good times may not last. Although these are real risks, most of us can exercise precious little control over the outcome. There are other risks, however, where what we do can make a difference. But he also warned that the underlying tension between the practical and the ideal goes to the very heart of our institutions. There is much to be said for the market.
Market forces are stronger in American higher education than in any other system in the world.
Indeed, other countries are moving in our direction. To the extent that the quality and responsiveness of American higher education compares favorably with the rest of the world, market forces are at least partly responsible. We are competitive. We are responsive to needs of students and communities. There is greater variety.