Persuasive discourses: learning and the production of working subjects in a post-industrial era

This chapter contributes to the debate about how the notion of a 'learning society' has been used and some of its ambiguities and contradictions. The theme of the chapter is that lifelong learning is a discourse aimed at producing employees for 'new local global worksites'. Using the example of Australia, the author investigates the idea that the discourses of lifelong learning, through their interrelationships with globalism and new managerialism, are deeply involved in the production of working subjects. However, learner/workers are often neglected in the discourses and although employers and workplaces may demand a 'knowing' workforce, workers also 'know' and 'learn'.

The volume from which this chapter is taken is indexed at TD/TNC 67.110. Selected chapters are indexed from TD/TNC 67.111 to TD/TNC 67.125.

This chapter contributes to the debate about how the notion of a 'learning society' has been used and some of its ambiguities and contradictions. The theme of the chapter is that lifelong learning is a discourse aimed at producing employees for 'new local global worksites'. Using the example of Australia, the author investigates the idea that the discourses of lifelong learning, through their interrelationships with globalism and new managerialism, are deeply involved in the production of working subjects. However, learner/workers are often neglected in the ...  [+] Show more