The present paper aims at analyzing the development process of higher education in Brazil, especially in what concerns its enlarged reproduction mechanisms. It defends the thesis that higher education development takes place by means of an unequal and combined process of different sectors, especially the private and public sectors. The most dramatic outcome of such a process is the improvisation of the private-sector professors, which leads to poor-quality education both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The text forecasts three higher education development trends: market regulation, nationalization, and a combination of both. The potential effects of each trend are analyzed and the third one, which combines State and market, is pointed out as the most viable. The article finally defends the creation of an organic law for higher education that sets landmarks for assessment, funding, teaching career, and the choice of leaders, among other issues, without opposing the university autonomy principle.
Higher education; University; Educational development; Brazilian education; State and market