Education in a crumbling democracy

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   From a political viewpoint, education in a modern society can be said to have two functions. On the one hand, it takes care of the social reproduction; on the other, it represents society's capacity for self-reflection and conscious (political) change. Therefore, when the members of a society deliberate on educational aims and their justification, we could say that this society reflects upon itself. The essay discusses whether contemporary Western societies are still capable of such self-reflection and deliberation. By comparing ancient Athenian democracy with contemporary political arrangements, important connections between education and democracy are put into relief. A central question is whether democratic qualities � notably political responsibility and �the quest for truth� � are still able to provide meaning in such a way that the most important problems of our time will be met by political action.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17449642.2014.921973#.U6B9JblOXcs

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abuayisha Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Muslim Joined: 05 October 1999 Location: Los Angeles Status: Offline Points: 5105	Post Options Post Reply Quote abuayisha Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Education in a crumbling democracy Posted: 17 June 2014 at 12:08pm
	From a political viewpoint, education in a modern society can be said to have two functions. On the one hand, it takes care of the social reproduction; on the other, it represents society's capacity for self-reflection and conscious (political) change. Therefore, when the members of a society deliberate on educational aims and their justification, we could say that this society reflects upon itself. The essay discusses whether contemporary Western societies are still capable of such self-reflection and deliberation. By comparing ancient Athenian democracy with contemporary political arrangements, important connections between education and democracy are put into relief. A central question is whether democratic qualities � notably political responsibility and �the quest for truth� � are still able to provide meaning in such a way that the most important problems of our time will be met by political action. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17449642.2014.921973#.U6B9JblOXcs