Review of Ronald Barnett, being a University

The book consists of three parts. Part I critically evaluates the metaphysical, scientific, entrepreneurial and bureaucratic university as ‘different forms of being that have characterised the university up to this point’. In Part II the author explores ‘contending concepts’ embedded within the university’s historical forms: being and becoming, space and time, culture and anarchy, authenticity and responsibility. Part III is dedicated to ‘becoming possible’ and to four ‘feasible utopias’: the liquid, therapeutic, authentic and ecological university. We will not follow this structure but will pay attention to some cross-cutting issues the book raises