Taking the Humanities to the Market: The Way Ahead?
Assist. Prof. Dr. Mounir Ben Zid

Abstract
In a world dominated by the rationalisms of money, consumer demand, techno-science and 'econo-production', the debate over the relevance of the humanities is gaining momentum. Globally, governments assert that the humanities must descend from their ivory tower and focus more on training future leaders for business, government and the professions. To this effect, they attempt to coerce universities into becoming more competitive and serving national interests within the international marketplace. This study resists such a pragmatic, sterile and businesslike orientation, aiming instead to de-globalize educational pedagogies by emphasizing the primacy of lifelong learning. This paradigm encompasses the voluntary and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for both personal and professional purposes. It is grounded in the belief that the real challenge facing the humanities is not achieving a modus vivendi, wherein academics must labor to tailor curricula to the needs of policymakers, but rather is maintaining the humanities' essence and raison d'être.

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