Neoliberalism & New Right-Perspective on Education

Question 1

New Right & Neoliberals

Answer 1

Conservative view - believe eduction can only perform its role effectively if it is organised on market principles rather than being run by the state. (Business type education is preferred)

• State cannot meet people’s needs
• Governments should encourage competition and marketisation.

Question 2

Similarities between New Right and Functionalist

Answer 2

-Both believe some people are naturally more talented than others.
-Both believe that education should socialise pupils into shared values (competition)
-Both favour education system run on meritocratic principles and supports economic needs through preparation of youth into work.
However reason for failure = system ran by state.

Question 3

Chubb and Moe: Consumer choice

Answer 3

State-run education failure due to:

• has not created equal opportunities and failed needs of disadvantaged groups.
• inefficient -> fails to produce pupils with the skills needed for the economic roles.
• Private schools succeed -> meet needs of consumers (Parents)

Question 4

Chubb and Moe

Answer 4

• call for introduction of market system -> families given voucher to spend on buying education from school of their choice.
• Vouchers become main source of income for schools -> forces schools to become more response to parents demands -> schools compete to attract customers -> improvement in schools.

Question 5

Two roles for the state

Answer 5

New Right believe state can still play a role
*State imposes framework on schools with which they must compete -> publish Ofsted reports and league tables -> giving parents information to make better informed choice.
*State ensures schools socialise pupils into a single set of cultural values
= Opposing multicultural education and choosing British culture.

Question 6

Criticisms of New Right perspective:

Answer 6

• Gewirtz and Ball (S) argue competition benefits MC -> they can use cultural and economic capital to gain access to more desirable schools.
• Marxists argue education does not impose a shared national culture but imposes culture of a dominant minority ruling class -> devalues the culture of the WC and EM.