Lifelong Learning in the European Union: Nature and implications

Using a French Régulation Approach, the paper argues that by looking at the underlying regimes of accumulation (RoA), mode of regulation (MoR) and institutional forms, it is possible to explain why LLL emerged at a certain time, who it benefited, and as a result, why certain discourses of individualisation of learning, human capability and social cohesion have been dominant. In addition, it looks at the particular role that LLL has played in trying to implement the European Commission’s vision of a particular RoA at the detriment of many RoAs present across the European Union. Specifically, the paper will look at the nature and political implications of LLL in the context of the European Union and argue that the dominant discourse around LLL in the European Commission supports a knowledge-based economy that is closely linked to a finance-led regime of growth.