‘With her empirical critique of the neo-liberal dogmas that dominate employment policies today, Catherine Casey has re-asserted the importance of social values not only for education but for work itself.’ – James Wickham, Trinity College Dublin‘It is a brave soul who invites us to see a pernicious side to the idea of a 'knowledge-based economy'; so central has that idea become to both exponents of the neo-liberal hegemony and those who seek to humanize it. Catherine Casey is one such brave soul. She here documents in a highly scholarly way both the factual limitations to the idea and its less than benign implications for education, work and citizenship. Future enthusiasts for the knowledge-based economy will need to come to terms with her challenge.’ Colin Crouch, Professor of Governance and Public Management, University of Warwick Business School, UK