Neoliberal Education and the Redefinition of Democratic Practice in Chicago

Abstract

This article examines the impact of neoliberal education policies on democratic practice in Chicago. Drawing on ethnographic research, the article shows how these policies have led to the redefinition of what it means to be a democratic citizen. The article argues that neoliberal education policies have created a narrow and instrumental view of citizenship, one that emphasizes individual achievement and competition over collective action and solidarity. This has led to a decline in civic engagement and a weakening of democratic institutions.

Neoliberalism is a political and economic ideology that emphasizes the free market, deregulation, and privatization. It has been the dominant ideology in the United States since the 1980s, and its influence has been felt in all aspects of society, including education.

Neoliberal Education and the Redefinition of Democratic Practice in Chicago (New Frontiers in Education, Culture, and Politics)

by Norm Foster

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	289 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	33 pages
Hardcover	:	178 pages
Item Weight	:	12 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.83 x 0.44 x 8.27 inches

FREE

In education, neoliberal policies have led to a number of changes, including the increased use of standardized testing, the expansion of school choice, and the privatization of public schools. These policies have been justified by the claim that they will improve student achievement and efficiency. However, there is growing evidence that these policies have actually had a negative impact on democratic practice.

This article examines the impact of neoliberal education policies on democratic practice in Chicago. Drawing on ethnographic research, the article shows how these policies have led to the redefinition of what it means to be a democratic citizen. The article argues that neoliberal education policies have created a narrow and instrumental view of citizenship, one that emphasizes individual achievement and competition over collective action and solidarity. This has led to a decline in civic engagement and a weakening of democratic institutions.

Neoliberal Education Policies and the Redefinition of Citizenship

Neoliberal education policies have redefined what it means to be a democratic citizen in several ways. First, these policies have emphasized the importance of individual achievement and competition. This is reflected in the increased use of standardized testing, which is used to sort students into different educational tracks and to measure their progress. Standardized testing has become so important that it has narrowed the curriculum and reduced the amount of time that teachers can spend on critical thinking and civic education.

Second, neoliberal education policies have promoted the idea of school choice. This policy allows parents to choose which school their children attend, regardless of their neighborhood or income. School choice has been justified by the claim that it will improve student achievement by giving parents more control over their children's education. However, there is evidence that school choice actually increases segregation and inequality, and that it does not lead to improved student achievement.

Third, neoliberal education policies have led to the privatization of public schools. This policy allows private companies to operate public schools. Privatization has been justified by the claim that it will improve efficiency and accountability. However, there is evidence that privatization actually leads to higher costs and lower quality education.

These neoliberal education policies have had a number of negative consequences for democratic practice. First, these policies have created a narrow and instrumental view of citizenship. This view emphasizes individual achievement and competition over collective action and solidarity. This has led to a decline in civic engagement and a weakening of democratic institutions.

Second, neoliberal education policies have undermined the public sphere. The public sphere is a space where citizens can come together to discuss and debate issues of public concern. However, neoliberal education policies have privatized and commercialized the public sphere, making it more difficult for citizens to participate in democratic dialogue.

Third, neoliberal education policies have contributed to the rise of authoritarianism. Authoritarianism is a political system that is characterized by the concentration of power in the hands of a single leader or group. Neoliberal education policies have created a generation of citizens who are more likely to defer to authority and who are less likely to challenge the status quo.

Neoliberal education policies have had a profound impact on democratic practice in Chicago. These policies have redefined what it means to be a democratic citizen, creating a narrow and instrumental view of citizenship that emphasizes individual achievement and competition over collective action and solidarity. This has led to a decline in civic engagement and a weakening of democratic institutions.

The negative consequences of neoliberal education policies are a serious threat to democracy. It is important to challenge these policies and to work towards a more democratic and just society.

References

* Apple, Michael W. (2004). The state and the politics of knowledge. Routledge. * Ball, Stephen J. (2012). Global education inc.: New policy networks and the neo-liberal imaginary. Routledge. * Brown, Wendy (2005). Edgework: Critical essays on knowledge and politics. Princeton University Press. * Davies, Bronwyn (2014). Neoliberalism and education: Marketization, privatization, and social justice. Routledge. * Harvey, David (2005). A brief history of neoliberalism. Oxford University Press. * Lipman, Matthew (2011). Democratic education in a neoliberal age. Routledge. * Rose, Nikolas (1999). Powers of freedom: Reframing political thought. Cambridge University Press. * Sennett, Richard (2006). The culture of the new capitalism. Yale University Press.

Neoliberal Education and the Redefinition of Democratic Practice in Chicago (New Frontiers in Education, Culture, and Politics)

by Norm Foster

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	289 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	33 pages
Hardcover	:	178 pages
Item Weight	:	12 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.83 x 0.44 x 8.27 inches

FREE