Democratic Aspects of Communist and Post-communist Schooling in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

BOOK DESCRIPTION: For some, socialism is a potent way of achieving economic, political and social transformations in the twenty-first century, while others find the very term socialism outdated. This book engages readers in a discussion about the viability of socialist views on education and identifies the capacity of some socialist ideas to address a range of widely recognized social ills. It argues that these pervasive social problems, which plague so-called ‘developed’ societies as much as they contribute to the poverty, humiliation and lack of prospects in the rest of the world, fundamentally challenge us to act. In our contemporary world-system, distancing ourselves from the injustices of others is neither viable nor defensible. Rather than waiting for radically new solutions to emerge, this book sees the possibility of transformation in the reconfiguration of existing social logics that comprise our modern societies, including logics of socialism. The book presents case studies that offer a critical examination of education in contemporary socialist contexts, as well as reconsidering examples of education under historical socialism. In charting these alternatives, and retooling past solutions in a nuanced way, it sets out compelling evidence that it is possible to think and act in ways that depart from today’s dominant educational paradigm. It offers contemporary policy makers, researchers, and practitioners a cogent demonstration of the contemporary utility of educational ideas and solutions associated with socialism. Preface, Professor Mark Ginsburg.- Introduction. Ch.1 Discovering and negotiating socialist educational logics under post-socialist conditions, Tom G. Griffiths, Zsuzsa Millei.- Negotiating the present: twenty-first century socialism. Ch.2 Decolonising Bolivian education – ideology versus reality, Mieke T.A. Lopes Cardozo.- Ch.3 Teaching ‘Valores’ in Cuba: A Conversation Among Teacher Educators, Illana Lancaster, Anita Sanyal. Ch.4 Soviets in the Countryside: The MST’s Re-making of Socialist Educational Practices in Brazil, Rebecca Tarlau. Ch.5 Community participation in schooling redefined in Bolivarian Venezuela? Ritesh Shah. Ch.6 Higher Education and socialism in Venezuela: Massification, development and transformation,Tom G. Griffiths.- Discovering aspects of socialist institutions and thinking for transformation. Ch.7 Slovene socialist early childhood education: Retuning, surpassing and reinterpreting history, Marcela Batistič Zorec. Ch.8 ‘Peoples Education for Peoples Power’: The Rise and Fall of an Idea in Southern Africa, Martin Prew Ch.9 Democratic aspects of communist and post-communist schooling in central and eastern Europe, Laura Perry. Ch.10 The Comprehensive School and Egalitarianism: From Demystification and Discreditation to Global Ascendance?, Olga Bain