Policy as Power

Abstract

This opening chapter of the book examines key theoretical ideas about ‘policy a power’. It aims to show how, through policies, a hegemonic system of power relations is established and to highlight the fact that key issues affecting inclusion and equality of international students are mostly systemic. By extension, drawing on the same theoretical ideas, the chapter also posits that democratisation of university classrooms based on inclusion of international students as equals will only start when it is ‘recommended’ by policies and officially ‘measured’ through university rankings. The chapter begins to highlight the potential contribution of the TEF in this area.