Référentiels des politiques publiques qui conditionnent l'évolution et le développement de l'université au Québec (1960-2025)

Abstract

Universities in Quebec are constantly evolving and developing in response to the issues and challenges that arise over time. Between 1960 and 2025, they underwent a multitude of transformations drove by profound changes. What ideas are driving these transformations? The cognitive and normative approach to public policy analysis provides answers to this question because it emphasizes the dimension of ideas, as reflected in the concept of a “reference framework.” Between 1960 and 1981, the welfare state promoted the preservation of the Republic of Science reference framework at universities. From 1981 onwards, the facilitator state encouraged the deployment of the Knowledge Economy reference framework. Since 2008, the Global Efficiency reference framework has characterized Quebec universities, given the dematerialization of public policy and the questioning of the ability of states to regulate sectors through national policies.