Education and Social Democrat Views

Question 1

What is the social democrat view?

Answer 1

• The social democratic perspective is a political ideology (belief) that has had an impact on all western democracies
• The state should represent the interests of the population as a whole
• Every member should have an equal chance of becoming successful and education is seen as a means towards equality of opportunity
• Education is essential for economic growth

Question 2

What do they argue?

Answer 2

However, they also argue that inequality in society -

1. Prevents equality of educational opportunity
2. Reduces the effectiveness of education in promoting economic growth

Question 3

Key Concepts of the Social Democrat view of education

Answer 3

• Meritocracy - Rewards based on talent and skills
• Cream skimming - Taking the “best” students only
• Equality of opportunity - Everyone has the same chance of success
• Free market economy - System based on supply and demand

Question 4

What did Halsey say about education?

Answer 4

• Halsey suggested that the inequalities produced by a free market economy prevent equality of opportunity, with those who succeed in the education system commonly being the sons and daughters of the middle and upper classes and those who fail are disproportionately from WC backgrounds
• Class system stands in the way of democracy, with many social democrats believing in meritocracy. In the 1960’s, around ⅔ of upper and middle class students attended grammar schools at age 11, in comparison to only ¼ of students from WC backgrounds.

Question 5

Why don’t grammar schools provide equality of opportunity?

Answer 5

• Grammar schools fail to provide equality of opportunity as it was a route to further and higher education with high-status and well-paid jobs, with most young people from WC backgrounds going to normal secondary schools and being viewed as educational failures.
• Selection at 11 favoured middle and upper class students as a result, and did not provide educational opportunity to be equal, but instead widened the gap between the classes
• It was seen as both unfair and inefficient as it discriminated against WC students, and it failed to develop their talents, with this wastage of talent failing to produce the highly educated workforces that contribute to and were required by a modern industrial economy.
• Many SD’s suggested that a change in the school system would promote equality of opportunity, with some in the 1970’s and 60’s suggesting the comprehensive system was more effective, providing one type of schooling for all. Selection at 11 stops those from all social classes interacting and receiving the same type of education.

Question 6

How does education have a role in economic growth?

Answer 6

• Education has a major role in economic growth, with Halsey stating that education was a vital investment into the ‘exploitation of modern technology’ and that in advanced industrial societies the education system should hold a closer relationship with the economy as the proportion of manual labour force decreases and the demand for professional workers rises
• Equality of educational opportunity would make a more meritocratic society, giving everyone the opportunity to develop their potential and maximise their economical contribution, and as a result their would make a greater contribution to economic growth, creating more prosperity to all

Question 7

Evaluation of social democrat theory of education

Answer 7

• Reform of education isn’t enough to get rid of inequalities across society
• Investing in education doesn’t always lead to economic growth
• The school curriculum doesn’t provide the skills for economic growth

Question 8

Detailed evaluation - Equality of opportunity

Answer 8

• According to SD theory, there are two ways of increasing equality of opportunity (changing the education system or changing the class system) but attempts by governments to address these issues have resulted in little change to class differences in educational attainment.
• It is criticised for placing too much emphasis on changing the education system to reduce inequality - over the last 60 years, class differentiation has barely reduced and sociologists such as Basil Bernstein have suggested that education cannot compensate for society
• Many SD argue that only a reduction in social inequality in the whole society can reduce educational inequality, but there isn’t evidence to suggest this is possible

Question 9

Detailed evaluation - Economic growth

Answer 9

• The curriculum is often stated to failing to meet the needs of employers, and is not designed to provide the skills needed for economic growth
• Education does not necessarily lead to more economic growth, with the findings of Alison Woolf (2002) suggesting no link between education and economic growth in the most successful countries, and those who had increased spending on education failed to boost their economy
• The level of economic growth also depends on the extent of inequality, with countries who have the highest growth rates having the lowest inequality rates - an increase of income to the poor would reduce inequality and boost growth, and the way to do this is to promote equality of opportunity and access to education and providing employment; society has to support education
• All governments see educational equality as vital for economic growth due to a more competitive global economy and as competition increases, growth becomes more dependent on the development of scientific knowledge, technological innovation and a more skilled workforce, for which education is crucial

Question 10

Social Democrat values in social policy

Answer 10

• Every member of society has an equal chance of becoming successful
• Believe in meritocracy
• The state should represent the interests of the population as a whole
• However, they believe that inequalities in society can prevent equality of educational opportunity, and reduce the effectiveness of education in promoting economic growth

Question 11

Neo-liberal values in social policy

Answer 11

• Raising standards in education improves living standards
• Competition offers choice to consumers and better goods and services
• Global competition is the key to success for economic growth
• Marketisation is key; parental choice means that schools have to improve in order to attract ‘customers’
• League tables are essential to making this an informed choice
• Privatisation - working with private companies to outsource services or run schools for profit