Student representation in Western Europe: introduction to the special issue

Student power in a global perspective and contemporary trends in student organising

“…At the higher level of abstraction we can, however, compare student unions within national systems and internationally. A typology for the study of national student associations and national systems of student representation and interest intermediation has already been developed (Klemenčič 2012a). This article highlights generic characteristics of student governance and posits that autonomy, legitimacy and relational structures are the key determinants of student governments' political engagement within higher education decision-making.…”

“…Student governments stand in implicit or explicit exchange relationships with authorities whom they seek to influence. In this relationship, student governments possess and can supply important resources: professional expertise, legitimisation of policy outcomes, social control of their members, and services valued by the authority (Klemenčič 2012a). Authorities in turn provide funding and other material or symbolic resources.…”

“…Higher education policymaking around the world is becoming more 'policy network' like: less hierarchical, with policy decisions being negotiated and mediated among several stakeholders rather than simply imposed by the authorities (Klemenčič 2012a). Within such policy networks, organised student groups present an important and increasingly vocal stakeholder.…”

The Meanings of Student Engagement: Implications for Policies and Practices

“…In opposition to notions of consumer power are positioned ideas of democratic engagement and 'empowerment', as in increased independence, autonomy and critical thinking on the part of students (Bovill et al 2011a, b). This idea of student engagement in the formation of communities as partnership also can be seen in Klemenčič's (2012b) notion of national student associations as 'interest groups'. Within this, student associations are seen as supplying important resources in the relationship with the state, including legitimizing policies and supporting policy implementation.…”

Student representation and the relationship between student leaders and political Parties: The case of Makerere University

“…Schmitter and Streeck's heuristic framework includes a typology of four types of associative actions. Parts of this framework have been adapted by Jungblut and Weber (2012) to study the development of the German student union; Klemenčič (2012) adapted it for her study of student representation in Europe;…”