This paper presents the general characteristics of the debate concerning the mercantilization proccess of higher education institutions in the USA, Latin America and Europe. It departs from the understanding that this proccess has been deepened and, to a great extent, has been accelerated during the current phase of capitalism and by the impacts of the broad ideological changes related to the rise of neoliberalism. By addressing the main questions regarding the mercantilization proccess in these countries, the paper stresses the ideological aspects behind it and contributes to the numerous works that seek to challenge it in the direction of another orientation for higher education.
Mercantilization process; Higher education institutions; USA; Latin America; Europe