Elites and education: an experience of political and theoretical analysis
Research Article
How to Cite
Gutorov V.A. Elites and education: an experience of political and theoretical analysis. Vlast i Elity (Power and Elites). 2018. Vol. 5. No. 5. P. 461-483. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31119/pe.2018.5.17 (in Russ.).
Abstract
The aim of the article is to highlight and discuss some trends in contemporary discussions regarding the theoretical principles and paradigms of the formation of elite models of education in modern Western countries. One of the most noticable features of modern scientific discourse is that the interrelation of concepts of elite politics with theoretical problems of education, which is well viewed in historical terms and firmly fixed in political philosophy, however, does not always become the object of attention of scientists. Until recently, scientists and politicians rarely paid attention to the problem of how influential social groups provide themselves with institutional and practical advantages in the field of education. The lack of any pronounced interest in problems of social inequality among education specialists was characteristic both for Western and Russian political science, especially in those segments that were associated with various issues of the “transition to democracy” of the former socialist countries. The very essential fact is that the reflections on elites and education, at least from the second half of the twentieth century and up to our days, are mostly marked by deep skepticism regarding the ability of political leaders and public institutions to implement educational reforms. The reasons for the skepticism of scientists and political analysts are diverse and constantly vary depending on their philosophical, ethical and “culture-oriented” preferences. For example, a sharp debate about the advantages of both the democratic and elitist models of education continues within which, up to the present day, ideological preferences clearly prevail over scientific considerations and arguments. In general, it can be argued that elite trends in educational policy are very peculiar in various cultures, both Western and Eastern. Nevertheless, they constantly demonstrate not only common elements, but also general patterns of development. This trend is particularly evident in those countries in which, as, for example, in Japan, the educational system in the post-war period was copied from the North American model.
Keywords:
elites, education, politics, democracy, capitalism, state, disciplinary, rationality, autonomy, liberalism, socialism, conservatism, values, indoctrination, ethics, hierarchy
References
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2. Gutorov V.A. Antichnaja sotsial’naja utopija. Voprosy istorii i teorii [Ancient Social Utopia. Questions of History and Theory.]. Leningrad: Izdatel’stvo Leningradskogo Universiteta, 1989. (In Russian)
3. Kramer D., Olsted D. Maski avtoritarnosti [The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power]. Transl. from English to Russian. Moscow: ProgressTraditsija, 2002. (In Russian)
4. Sloterdaik P. Sfery. Plyral’naja spferologija. T. III. Pena [Spheres Plural Spherology. Vol. III. Foams]. Transl. from German to Russian. Moscow: Nauka, 2010. (In Russian)
5. Habermas Y. Problema legitimatsiji pozdnego kapitalizma [The Problem of Legitimation of the Late Capitalism]. Transl. from German to Russian. Moscow: Praksis, 2010. (In Russian)
6. Habermas Y. Mezdu naturalizmom i religijej. Filosofskije stat’ji [Between Naturalism and Religion. Philosophical Articles]. Transl. from German to Russian. Moscow: Ves’ Mir, 2011. (In Russian)
7. Adler M.J. Haves Without Have-Nots: Essays for the 21st Century on Democracy and Socialism. N. Y.: Macmіllan Publіshіng Company, 1991.
8. Bodeus R. The Political Dimensions of Aristotle’s Ethics. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1993.
9. Cave P. Primary School in Japan. Self, Individuality and Learning in Elementary Education. L.; N.Y.: Routledge, 2007.
10. Cookson P.W., Persell C.H. Preparing for Power: America’s Elite Boarding Schools. N.Y.: Basic Books. 1985.
11. Critical Perspectives on Educational Leadership / ed. by J. Smyth. N.Y.; L.: Routledge-Falmer, 1989.
12. Courtois A. Elite Schooling and Social Inequality: Privilege and Power in Ireland’s Top Private Schools. L.: Palgrave Macmillan, 2018.
13. Cultural Hybrids of (Post)Modernism. Japanese and Western Literature, Art and Philosophy / ed. by M.J. Álvarez-Faedo, A. Monnickendam, B. PenasIbáñez. Bern etc: Peter Lang, 2016.
14. Duke B. The History of Modern Japanese Education. Constructing the National School System, 1872–1890. New Brunswick; New Jersey; L.: Rutgers University Press, 2009.
15. Elites and Democratic Development in Russia / ed. by A. Steen, V. Gel’man. L.; N.Y.: Routledge, 2008.
16. Havelock E.A. Preface to Plato. Cambridge, Massachusetts, L.: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1963.
17. Japanese Youth in the Conservative Elite Society. Essays on the Liberal Young Super-Achievers / ed. by H. Itoh, B. Bernier. Lewiston; Lampeter: The Edwin Mellen Press, 2014.
18. Lord C. Education and Culture in the Political Thought of Aristotle. Ithaca; L.: Cornell University Press, 1982.
19. Mills C.W. The Power Elite. L.: Oxford University Press, 1956.
20. Reeve C.D.C. Philosopher-Kings. The Argument of Plato’s Republic. Indianapolis; Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 2006.
21. Sartori G. The Theory of Democracy Revisited. Chatam; New Jersey: Chatam House Publishers, Inc., 1987.
22. Schofield M. Plato. Political Philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.
23. Schumpeter J.A. Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy. N.Y.: Harper Torchbooks, 1976.
24. Scruton R. The Palgrave Macmillan Dictionary of Political Thought. 3rd edn. Houndmills; N.Y.: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.
25. Smith K.B. The Ideology of Education. The Commonwealth, the Market, and America’s Schools. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2003.
26. Sugimoto Y. An Introduction to Japanese Society. Fourth Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014.
Citation Formats
Other cite formats:
ACM
[1]
Gutorov, V.A. 2018. Elites and education: an experience of political and theoretical analysis. Vlast i Elity (Power and Elites). 5, 5 (Sep. 2018), 461-483. DOI:https://doi.org/10.31119/pe.2018.5.17.
Section
Elites in the Socio-Cultural Dimension
