Role of education

• What are the three key perspectives on education mentioned?

  Functionalism, New Right, and Marxism
• What functions do functionalists see education as performing?

  Socializing new members and creating social solidarity
• What is the New Right view of the role of the market in education?

  It encourages competition and drives up standards
• What criticisms have been made of functionalist views of education?

  They overlook class inequalities and discrimination
• Who are the main contributors to the functionalist perspective on education?

  Durkheim, Parsons, and Davis and Moore
• According to Durkheim, what are the two basic functions of education?

  Promoting social solidarity and preparing for work
• How does education promote social solidarity according to Durkheim?

  By transmitting shared culture and norms
• What does Parsons argue about the role of school in society?

  It is the focal socializing agency of modern society
• What is meant by 'meritocracy' in Parsons' view?

  Achievement based on individual effort and ability
• How does Davis and Moore explain role allocation in education?

  By selecting individuals for future work roles
• What is the main argument of human capital theory?

  Skills of the workforce are the main economic asset
• What do Marxists argue about the values transmitted by education?

  They reflect the ruling class's interests
• What do critics argue about the meritocracy of education?

  It discriminates against certain social groups
• What is the New Right's view on the role of the state in education?

  It should create a framework for competition
• What is marketisation in education according to the New Right?

  Introducing market forces and consumer choice
• What do Chubb and Moe's findings suggest about state education?

  It fails to create equal opportunities for all
• What is the New Right's solution to the inefficiency of state schools?

  Introduce a market system via vouchers
• What limited role does the state still have in education according to the New Right?

  Creating competition and ensuring shared culture
• What do critics argue about the rise in school standards?

  It may be due to factors other than marketisation
• What do Marxists believe about social institutions like education?

  They reproduce class inequalities and justify exploitation
• What is the main conflict in capitalist society according to Marxists?

  Between the ruling class and the working class
• How do social institutions contribute to class conflict according to Marxists?

  By persuading workers that inequality is justified
• What are the key criticisms of the New Right perspective on education?

  • State control is not the sole cause of issues
  • Low standards may stem from inadequate funding
  • Competition benefits the middle class disproportionately
  • Education imposes ruling class culture, not shared values
• Compare the functionalist and New Right perspectives on education.

  Similarities:

  • Both see talent as unevenly distributed
  • Both advocate for meritocratic principles
  • Both believe in socializing shared values

  
  

  Differences:

  • Functionalism emphasizes social solidarity
  • New Right focuses on market competition
• What are the implications of the marketisation of education?

  • Introduces competition among schools
  • Aims to improve quality through consumer choice
  • May lead to inequalities based on socio-economic status
• What do Marxists argue about education's role in society?

  It imposes the culture of the ruling class
• How do Marxists view society?

  As based on class divisions and exploitation
• What are the two classes in capitalist society according to Marxists?

  Ruling class and subject class
• What do capitalists own in a capitalist society?

  The means of production
• What does class conflict threaten in capitalism?

  The stability of capitalism
• How do social institutions reproduce class inequalities?

  By persuading workers that inequality is justified
• What are the two elements of the state according to Althusser?

  Repressive state apparatus and ideological state apparatus
• What is the role of the repressive state apparatus (RSA)?

  To use force to protect capitalist interests
• What does the ideological state apparatus (ISA) control?

  People's ideas, values, and beliefs
• What are the two functions of education as an ISA?

  Reproduction and legitimation of class inequality
• How does education reproduce class inequality?

  By failing each generation of working-class pupils
• What does education legitimize according to Marxists?

  Class inequality
• What is the correspondence principle according to Bowles and Gintis?

  School relationships mirror those in the workplace
• What do Bowles and Gintis argue capitalism needs from workers?

  Obedient attitudes and submissive personality types
• What do Bowles and Gintis claim about obedient students?

  They get the best grades