A global and comparative perspective is central to understanding the rapidly changing world of higher education. Tradition and Transition analyzes many of the key themes of academic change in the 21st century. It brings a unique comparative approach, citing examples from many national contexts to illustrate themes. Among the topics considered are the logic of mass higher education, globalization and inequality, the role of research universities, academic freedom, private higher education, and the academic profession and its problems. These topical chapters are accompanied by in-depth discussions of Asia and Africa.