Introduction Private Higher Education in Post-Communist Europe: In Search of Legitimacy

Abstract

After the revolution of 1989, former communist countries in central and eastern Europe generated private sectors of higher education. Even though private growth in higher education has been common around the world, no other region has experienced change so concentrated in time or so cross-nationally inclusive. These new institutions generally struggle to gain legitimacy and trust in their national contexts. This book focuses on the legitimacy and socioeconomic challenges faced by private education providers across central and eastern Europe., After the revolution of 1989, former communist countries in central and eastern Europe generated private sectors of higher education. Even though private growth in higher education has been common around the world, no other region has experienced change so concentrated in time or so cross-nationally inclusive. These new institutions generally struggle to gain legitimacy and trust in their national contexts. This book focuses on the legitimacy and socioeconomic challenges faced by private education providers across central and eastern Europe.