Dave Hill, the author of the article “Neo-Liberalism, the Deformation
of Education and Resistance”, focuses on the problem of the modern development
of education in the context of the dominance of the capitalist ideology. In
fact, the author underlines that nowadays the capitalist ideology is not simply
dominating but it spreads its influence on all spheres of life and practically
in all countries throughout the world. At the same time, this ideology is often
disguised as the struggle for democratic and humanistic values, while in actuality,
this ideology serves rather to the interests of upper classes and large corporations
than to the interests of average representatives of the working class. The author
associates this ideology and degradation of really democratic and egalitarian
ideas with the Neo-Liberalism.
As a result, the author states that education, as well as other public services,
is affected dramatically by business values and interests that leads to the
gradual elimination of equality in education. Moreover, Dave Hill underlines
that the modern education is practically deprived of really egalitarian principles
and the declared equality does not match the real equality of opportunities
for all children to receive equally good education. To a significant extent,
this is the result of the negative impact of globalization and dominance of
neo-liberal ideas which led to the loss of equity, economic, social justice,
democracy and democratic accountability, and critical thought within a culture
of performativity. Instead, the national and global inequalities keep growing.
In fact, the author reveals a direct link between economic globalization with
the growing impact of Neo-Liberalism, especially in the field of education.
According to the author, Neo-Liberalism and ‘marketisation’ of education
have changed basic aspects of education dramatically, including goals, methods,
standards of excellence and freedom in education. At the same time, the dominance
of Neo-Liberalism lead to the oppression of all alternative ideologies and views
that could critically evaluate the current educational policies and offer more
efficient, just and egalitarian ways of the further development opening new
opportunities in education for possibly larger number of people.
No wonder that Dave Hill concludes his article by the appeal to his readers
to be aware of the growing impact of Neo-Liberalism and indicates at the necessity
of resistance and development of alternatives that should target not at business
values but on the promotion of the principles of equality not only in education
but in all spheres of life.
Unquestionably, the problem raised by the author is extremely important to any
educator worldwide since the problem of Neo-Liberalism and ‘marketisation’
of education is really global. At the same time, it is really important that
educators remained critical and objective since they are responsible for the
future of their students and its impermissible that unjust ideology replaced
the fundamental humanistic principles of a really education targeting at equal
and humanistic education for all students, implying elimination all social,
economic, political, racial or any other barriers that prevent children from
receiving equally good education. This is why it is possible to conclude that
the article evokes educators awareness of the possible threats and dangers of
the modern ideology and education policies and, what is more, it is really important
that the article makes educators conscious of the necessity of resistance for
the sake of basic educational principles and future generations.
Bibliography:
1. Hill, Dave. “Global Neo-Liberalism, the Deformation of Education and
Resistance”, Journal for Critical Education Policy Studies, Vol.1, No.1,
March 2003.
