The success paradox: why we need a holistic theory of social mobility

5. Unbundling, diversification and the ecological university: new models for higher education -- Introduction -- Access to higher education -- The first case for higher education -- The second case for higher education -- Beyond access and the battle for the soul of higher education -- Imagination and the role of higher education -- Disruptive forces and massive open online courses -- A pedagogy for holistic social mobility -- The 'unbundling' of higher education -- Conclusions -- 6. The shape of the labour market: hourglass, diamond or molecule? -- The 'hourglass economy' -- The shape and size of the hourglass(es) -- The need for low-skilled work -- The nature of work' -- 'The meaning of work -- Conclusions -- 7. Social mobility, well-being and class -- Introduction -- A broken Britain? -- Welcome to well-being -- Can well-being be measured? -- Is happiness everything? -- Where does class come in? -- Conclusions -- 8. A new politics of social mobility -- The space for a new politics -- The social contract -- Making equality matter -- Enlightened instrumentalism -- The living salary -- Why does changing the powerful matter? -- Elites and social transformation -- 'It's the economy, stupid ... ' -- Creating 'good growth' -- Social mobility and the Left -- The potential for a new social mobility politics -- Conclusions -- 9. Reframing social mobility -- Step 1: Recalibrate occupational stratification -- Step 2: Change the mission of education as well as the method -- Step 3: Connect success with society -- Step 4: Take middle-class social mobility seriously -- Step 5: Creating a manifesto for holistic social mobility and success -- The case for holistic social mobility -- Bibliography -- Index.

Social mobility needs a re-boot. The narrow, economistic way of measuring it favoured by politicians and academics is unsustainable and is contributing to rising inequality. This timely book provides an alternative, original vision of social mobility and a route-map to achieving it. It examines how the term 'social mobility' structures what success means and the impact that has on society. Providing a new holistic approach that encompasses education, the economy and politics, Atherton recasts the relationship with employers, embracing radical opportunities provided by technology and rethinking what higher education means. He also goes beyond employment to incorporate progress in non-work areas of life. Based on the need to improve well-being, not just income or occupation, the book addresses one of the key issues facing 21st century society in a new way and provides valuable insights for policymakers and academics

This timely book provides an alternative vision of social mobility and a route-map to achieving it. It examines how the term 'social mobility' structures what success means and the impact that has on society. It recasts the relationship with employers and covers progress in non-work areas of life