Globalisation, post-Fordism and open and distance education

Post-Fordism and globalisation are interrelated contemporary features of social and economic development. Open and distance education are reflexively engaged with post-Fordism and globalisation and this raises issues for policymakers and practitioners in open and distance education alike. Drawing on recent work by the author (Evans 1995a, 1995b) this article discusses some individual, social and educational issues concerned with globalisation, especially in relation to the emerging post-Fordist forms and practices of open and distance education, and to the cross-cultural contexts involved.