Human Capital, Education, and Sustainability

摘要: Human capital theory remains a powerful influence in modern economics and withineducational discourse. In this paper, the its prevalence across Europeanstate education policy is explored critiqued number of ways includingits implication an ethos which aims at maximising returns from resources. Assuch, practical manifestations are inimical to concerns ofsustainability. The paper suggests that while concept “natural capital”, itsfocus on need preserve profitable natural resources for future benefit, doescoalesce with sustainability discourse points, more fruitful potential thegoals lies redirecting state education, away ahuman orientation, towards renewal social inherent inthe original democratic ideals liberal education.