Liberalism and liberal education

pp. 55-81

in: James D. Marshall, Michel Foucault, Berlin, Springer, 1996

Abstract

In this chapter we will look at the notions of liberalism and liberal education. The former will be discussed historically as a doctrine which initially was progressive politically and socially. More recent neoliberal views, which have been enormously influential in the restructurings of Western educational systems, will also be discussed. It will be argued in the ways in which the individual/society nexus is construed, that there are at least two major strands to liberalism: particularly in the ways in which they construe the individual/society nexus: one of these is a socially progressive doctrine, whereas the other is inherently conservative.