New Right & Neoliberalism

• What is Neoliberalism?


  An economic doctrine that argues that the state should not provide services such as education or healthcare - they should be provided by private businesses
• What do Neoliberals believe about the value of education?

  It lies in how well the country can compete in the global marketplace which can only be bettered if schools become like businesses
• What is the New Right perspective?

  A conservative political perspective believing that the state cannot meet every individuals needs and therefore people are better left to meet their own needs through the free market
• What is the free market?

  A market regulated on supply and demand as opposed to government control
• What are New Right similarities to functionalists?

  • Believe some are more talented than others
  • Agree with meritocracy and preparing the economy by preparing students for work
  • Believe education should socialise pupils into shared norms and values such as competition
• What do the New Right's believe education's problem is?

  Education is run by the state so schools have a "one size fits all" learning type imposing uniformity because politicians and bureaucrats use their power to impose their view of what schools should be
• What is the New Right's solution to the problems in education?

  The Marketisation of Education
• What is the Marketisation of Education?

  Privatisation of educational services so they are paid for and therefore controlled by parents who act as consumers which drives competition and standards of education
• What did Chubb and Moe introduce in 1990?

  A market system of vouchers given to families by the state that they would put forward to schools of their choice, forcing them to become supportive of parents wishes and compete for funding.
• Where did Chubb and Moe introduce their market system?

  The USA
• What roles do the New Right believe the State plays?

  • State imposes a framework on schools within which they have to compete
  • State ensures that schools transmit a shared culture through a single national curriculum
• What do New Right believe about national identity being created in British schools?

  1. Emphasise Britain's positive role in history
  2. Christian act of worship everyday as Christianity is Britain's main religion
  3. Aim to integrate pupils into a single set of cultural values and tradition
• What are the criticisms of New Right of Neoliberalism?

  • Gewirtz and Ball - competition benefits benefits the middle classes who can use their cultural and economic capital to gain access to more desirable schools
  • Cause of failure may be social class and not the state
  • Marxists argue that the norms and values are that of the dominant ruling class
• What is ascribed status?


  Social status that a person is born into or had no control over by having to do nothing to gain it
• What is achieved status?

  Social status that is achieved and gained through a persons choices, sacrifices, efforts, or merit