New Right/ Neoliberalism Perspective

Question 1

What do the New Right/ Neoliberalism argue?

Answer 1

They argue the state should not provide services such as education, health and welfare. They should not dictate so individuals instead should be free to make their own decisions.

Question 2

Does the New Right agree with Functionalists?

Answer 2

Yes, they agree that schools should be meritocratic, some people are naturally talented than others and the role of education should be to prepare individuals for the economy.

Question 3

What is the New Rights answer to achieving the goals of educations being the key to the economy?

Answer 3

Marketisation. They believe the current education system and state is not achieving the right goals for the economy so it’s best left to people to meet their own needs through the free market.

Question 4

Marketisation:

Answer 4

They believe when schools get poor results they are not answerable to the consumers meaning there is a lower standard of achievement for pupils. Competition, laws of supply and demand will empower consumers bringing greater efficiency, diversity and choice.

Question 5

Chubb and Moe: Consumer Choice

Answer 5

The USA state educations has failed for 3 reasons:
1.) Disadvantaged groups: lower class, ethnic religious minorities badly treated due to no equal opportunities (not meritocratic).
2.) State education fails to produce pupils with skills needed for the economy.
3.) Private schools create inequality, pupils there get a higher quality of education due to being answerable to their consumers- the parents.
According to statistics pupils from low income families consistently do 5% better in private schools.

Question 6

Chubb and Moe: Consumer Choice Solution

Answer 6

They introduce a voucher system in education where parents would be given money to spend on education for their child and pick a school of their choice, meaning schools would have to compete and attract customers by comparing their product. Also a higher quality of education due to having to be answerable to their consumers.

Question 7

Two roles of the state:

Answer 7

1. ) State imposes framework on schools which they have to compete.
2. ) State ensures that schools transmit and shared culture.

Question 8

Evaluation points for the New Right:

Answer 8

1. ) Gerwitz and Ball argue competition between Schools benefits the middle-class who can use their cultural and social capital better.
2. ) The real cause of low educational achievement is not due to schools failing but internal and more importantly external factors surrounding the individual.