Global rankings and the Geopolitics of Higher Education is an examination of the impact and influence that university rankings have had on higher education, policy and public opinion in recent years. Bringing together some of the most informed authorities on this very complex issue, this edited collection of specially commissioned chapters examines the changes affecting higher education and the implications for society and the economy.

1. Introduction. The Geopolitics of Rankings: Critique ¿ How Did We Get Here and What Have We Learned 2. A Short Global History of Rankings 3. Rankings as Global (Monetising) Scopic Systems 4. The Dilemma of University Rankings in Policy and Policymaking: The Malaysian Experience: Case Studies ¿ Evidence from World Regions 5. Europe: The Impact and Influence of Rankings in European Higher Education 6. Asia: Catch-Up and Identity: Developments in and Impacts of University Rankings in East Asia 7. Rankings in Africa: Important, Interesting, Irritating, or Irrelevant? 8. Russia: Ranking Fever: Do We Know the Remedy? 9. Latin American Higher Education, Universities, and Worldwide Rankings. The New Conquest? 10. India, Rankings, Mass Higher Education, and World-Class Universities 11. Rankings in North America (US and Canada): Choices and Policy Trade-Offs 12. The Intersection of Rankings with University Quality, Public Accountability, and Institutional Improvement 13. Excellence Strategies and World-Class Universities 14. Do Global University Rankings Drive Convergence? Evidence from the Nordic Region 15. Rankings, Higher Education Internationalisation and National Strategies: Trade-Offs, Policy Levers, and (Un)Intended Outcomes: Future Directions for Higher Education 16. Reporting Alternatives: Future Transparency Mechanisms for Higher Education 17. Between Massification and Globalisation: Is there a Role for Global University Rankings? 18. The Geopolitics of the Education Market 19. The Quest for Quality and the Role, Impact and Influence of Supra-national Organisations