Professionalism, Change and the Politics of Lifelong Learning

This article argues that contemporary professions are facing a continuing struggle for legitimacy and explores the implications of this for lifelong learning. The article commences by exploring a range of theoretical perspectives on professionalism - the trait approach, the functionalist approach, the power school and postmodernist approaches. Drawing on the power and postmodern perspective the implications for lifelong learning in the professionals are considered. The Macpherson Report on the death of Stephen Lawrence in the United Kingdom is utilised as a case study which demonstrates some of the pressures on modern professionalism. It is argued that lifelong learning for the professions must operate in the context of social change, working with diverse populations and the need to constantly renew their claims to expertise.