Topic 1 - Social democratic and Neoliberal

Question 1

What is the social democratic perspective?

Answer 1

• It is a political ideology that has had major influence on the development of western democracies
• The state should represent the interests of the population as a whole-democratic system
• Democracy is seen as the best way to ensure equal rights
• Every citizen is equal under the law and to ensure equal opportunity, every member of society has an equal chance to succeed
• Education is not automatically meritocratic as governments need to make sure people from all social classes can fulfill their potential

Question 2

What is the social democratic perspective on education?

Answer 2

• Similar to functionalism- means towards equality of opportunity and essential for economic growth
• However, they argue that inequalities in society can; prevent equality of educational opportunity, reduce the effectiveness of education in promoting economic growth

Question 3

What is Halsley’s views?

Answer 3

• Education is a crucial type of investment for the exploitation of modern technology
• Inevitable that the education system should come into relationship with the economy
• Equality of educational opportunity would make society more meritocratic; provide everyone with equal opportunity and would maximize their contribution to the economy and economic growth would increase

Question 4

What are the criticisms of social democratic perspective?

Answer 4

• Policies not particularly successful in helping working class do better, gap in achievement still remains large
• Argued that only a reduction in social inequality in society as a whole can reduce inequality in educational opportunity

Question 5

What is the Neoliberal perspective?

Answer 5

• Formerly known as the new right
• Political ideology
• Education is seen as central to economic growth-raising standards in education will raise living standards
• Marketisation is the key to raising standards
• Schools, colleges and universities must all compete for customers in a free and open market

Question 6

What are the Neoliberal views on education?

Answer 6

• State education; undesirable, requires high taxes, making companies less competitive
• Chubb and Moe; state education unresponsive to needs of pupils and tend to have low standards
• Private education needs to please customers to survive, standards are high and constant pressure to improve further

Question 7

What are the criticisms of Neoliberal perspectives?

Answer 7

• Less positive view of education
• Education needs to be run as a business
• Marxists and sd’s oppose these views; they see state education as the only way to provide opportunities for pupils from all classes, puts profit before wellbeing of students
• Waste of working class talent, not good for the economy