Education - Neoliberalism + The New Right

Question 1

What is Neoliberalism?

Answer 1

An economic philosophy that prefers free-market economies and disagrees with state involvement in public affairs

Question 2

What is a Free-market Economy?

Answer 2

A system where supply and demand is determined by the customers and producers of goods

Question 3

How does neoliberalism link to education?

Answer 3

People believe that schools have increasingly become more and more like businesses

Question 4

What is the New Right?

Answer 4

A conservative political stance that uses the ideals of neoliberalism and applies it to many institutions in society

Question 5

Similarities to Functionalism?

Answer 5

• Believe that some people are naturally more talented than others
  (Role Allocation)
• Believe that education is meritocratic and encourages competition so the economies needs are met
  (Meritocracy)
• Believe that education should socialise students into shared values and promote a national identity
  (Social Solidarity)

Question 6

Chubb and Moe - Case Study

Answer 6

• Sampled 60,000 working class students in both state and independent schools
• Found a 5% better performance in students in independent schools

Question 7

What did Chubb and Moe want schools to do?

Answer 7

• They suggested that parents should be given vouchers that act as the school’s income
• This will make the schools more responsive to the needs + wants of the parents

Question 8

How does the New Right think schools can be improved?

Answer 8

• Removing state influence
• Encouraging competition between schools
• Creating more diversity/specialised schools

Question 9

What does the national curriculum do?

Answer 9

Instills a sense of national identity in the students