Academic capitalism trend – UGC NET Question

Academic capitalism describes the adoption of market-oriented behaviours by universities, such as competing for external funds, patents and lucrative programmes. It highlights how institutions position themselves within knowledge-based economies as entrepreneurial actors. The stem mentions activities like seeking patents and industry contracts, which are central features of academic capitalism. Therefore, Option B correctly completes the term.

Option A:
Socialism emphasises collective ownership and equitable distribution rather than the market competition and revenue-seeking orientation described. Thus, Option A is incorrect.

Option B:
Option B is correct because the described patenting, contracting, and fee-seeking behaviours are core features of “academic capitalism” in higher education literature.

Option C:
Feudalism refers to a historical socio-economic system based on land ownership and vassalage, unrelated to contemporary university marketisation. Hence, Option C is incorrect.

Option D:
Fundamentalism is about strict adherence to doctrines (often religious/ideological) and is not used to describe market-oriented university behaviour. Therefore, Option D is incorrect.