A comprehensive study of Mill's theory of liberty, uncovering Mill's solution to the problem of democracy, the tyranny of the majority

As American schools undergo a dramatic shift to the right, Michael W. Apple, internationally acclaimed author and educator, uncovers the roots of this conservative swing and points the way to a more balanced approach. Why have the needs of private business become top priorities in the public classroom? How did school vouchers move from the conservative fringe to the political mainstream? Why are scores on standardized tests falling, even as teachers are forced to cram more "facts" into their curricula? Apple argues that the interests of some strange bedfellows -- neo-liberals, neo-conservatives, authoritarian populists, and the professional middle class -- have converged to threaten the egalitarian ideals on which American public education was built. He dissects how this coalition has pushed educational policies toward a combination of weak state practices (markets, school choice) and strong state practices (state-mandated curricula and testing). A former classroom teacher himself, Apple offers concrete, common sense solutions that show what critical educators and parents can do to interrupt these trends and develop a more democratic educational system, suited to the needs of all American children. Michael W. Apple is the Bascom Professor of Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Policy Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has recently been awarded both a Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Educational Research Association and a UCLA Medal for outstanding academic achievement in education. * Apple is a world-renowned figure in educational and social policy. He is the editor of Routledge's very successful series Critical Social Thought *Apple's book Ideology and Curriculumwas internationally voted as one of the top twenty books on education in the 20th century -- his books are published in fifteen languages * Not merely a critique of the right, but of the left as well -- addresses current, critical problems in our schools

This book takes the thinking of Quentin Skinner, Philip Pettit and J.G.A. Pocock on republican liberty and explores the way in which this idea of liberty can be used to illuminate educational practice. It argues that republican liberty is distinct from both positive and negative liberty, and its emphasis on liberty as non-dependency gives the concept of liberty a particularly critical role in contemporary society. Each chapter formulates and expounds the idea that an empire of liberty requires the existence of what are termed ‘liberty-bearing agents’, and shows how education – with a particular emphasis on knowledge – is needed to foster the human powers which allow people to become liberty-bearing. It is also emphasised, however, that republican liberty is non-perfectionist and non-eudaimonic: the core values enshrined in an empire of liberty centre on non-dependency rather than the promulgation of a certain way of life. Drawing on prominent seventeenth century contract theorists, the link between liberty and authority is explained, suggesting that appropriate authoritative structures need to underpin the provision of education, and especially schooling, if educational practice devoted to the pursuit of liberty is to flourish. Liberty and Education will be of value to both educational theorists unfamiliar with republican theory, as well as republican theorists interested in how their theory might play out in education. It will also be of interest to researchers and students from the fields of politics and the philosophy of education.

First published in 1985, Equality and Freedom in Education investigates the extent to which it is possible or desirable to provide equal opportunities in education, regardless of age sex, race, language, and social class. Attempts to make such provision regularly attract the criticism that they remove the freedom of parents and religious bodies to educate children in accordance with their particular wishes. To understand this dilemma, the book analyses the educational systems and practices in England and Wales, France, the USA, the USSR, China and Japan. Information about each system is provided in accordance with a taxonomy, developed by Professor Holmes for the International Bureau of Education in Geneva, and widely accepted by Ministries of Education throughout the world. Simplified diagrams show how school systems are organised and how children pass through the school system, and essential statistical information, taken from UNESCO sources, is also provided. The book will be of interest to students of education and sociology.

Education is Freedom explores the transformative power of education and its ability to liberate individuals and societies from the constraints of ignorance, inequality, and oppression. In this book, author James Keyes explores the ways education empowers people to take control of their lives, to pursue their dreams, and to contribute to the world in meaningful and fulfilling ways. He provides a roadmap to the “why,” “what,” and “how” of learning. The book outlines the importance of education for all mankind, the power of education to change our world, and the wisdom to unlock our personal freedom while preserving our democracy. Where does humanity go to school? Democracy across the world is at risk. With the polarization of today’s society, the foundational right to freedom of speech is now being challenged from all sides. The truth is under siege as misinformation and hostility have replaced critical thinking and civil discourse. Our freedom of self-determination has a prerequisite: an informed electorate. If that electorate is armed with false information or is influenced by outside forces, their actions and reactions can put democracy in jeopardy. Today, more than ever, we must nurture the education, knowledge and wisdom of individuals to discern right from wrong, truth from fiction, and success from failure. If learning is the key to success, then how can humanity advance its own cause? Our forefathers recognized that an educated populace was the very foundation of democracy. Education is a self-help guide for humanity that allows us to individually and collectively understand the roadmap to freedom. For the individual, education is the one common denominator that separates those who are free from the ones trapped in their own reality. “Someone can take your money, your material things, your job…but they can’t take away what you know. With knowledge you can replace anything lost, you can be free to explore the world, you are beholden to no one.” Whatever challenges or adversity you face in life, embracing a learning mentality will empower you and set you free. Humanity must indeed go back to school, because the future is in our hands!

This handbook is currently in development, with individual articles publishing online in advance of print publication. At this time, we cannot add information about unpublished articles in this handbook, however the table of contents will contunue to grow as additional articles pass through the review process and are added to the site. Please note that the online publication date for this handbook is the date that the first article in the title was published online.

Christianity regards teaching as one of the most foundational and critically sustaining ministries of the Church. As a result, Christian education remains one of the largest and oldest continuously functioning educational systems in the world, comprising both formal day schools and higher education institutions as well as informal church study groups and parachurch ministries in more than 140 countries. In The Encyclopedia of Christian Education, contributors explore the many facets of Christian education in terms of its impact on curriculum, literacy, teacher training, outcomes, and professional standards. This encyclopedia is the first reference work devoted exclusively to chronicling the unique history of Christian education across the globe, illustrating how Christian educators pioneered such educational institutions and reforms as universal literacy, home schooling, Sunday schools, women’s education, graded schools, compulsory education of the deaf and blind, and kindergarten. With an editorial advisory board of more than 30 distinguished scholars and five consulting editors, TheEncyclopedia of Christian Education contains more than 1,200 entries by 400 contributors from 75 countries. These volumes covers a vast range of topics from Christian education: History spanning from the church’s founding through the Middle Ages to the modern day Denominational and institutional profiles Intellectual traditions in Christian education Biblical and theological frameworks, curricula, missions, adolescent and higher education, theological training, and Christian pedagogy Biographies of distinguished Christian educators This work is ideal for scholars of both the history of Christianity and education, as well as researchers and students of contemporary Christianity and modern religious education.