ABSTRACT
We would argue that ‘established strengths’ is a contested concept which Dearing fails to address. Instead he attempts to reconcile or treat as uniform the very different philosophies which drive HE in the late 20th century. We have admitted to a wholehearted endorsement of the CBMS framework for the future and there are hints in Dearing that this framework has an important role to play in that future. However, Dearing has not taken development any further, instead he has encouraged compromise and this has led to confusion and to our way of thinking is retrograde in its effect on CBMS.
