The Political Turn of Corporate Influence in Education: A Synthesis of Main Policy Reform Strategies

Abstract

The engagement of corporate actors in education policy processes connected to the advancement of a pro-market agenda has become more frequent in recent years. However, what remains unclear are the specific mechanisms that endow private actors with increased authority and legitimacy as policy advocates. This chapter examines the emerging strategies deployed by the corporate sector in education policy-shaping processes. Building on the results of a comprehensive literature review, we systematize five strategies articulated by the sector to promote education privatization reforms-lobbying, networking and brokerage, knowledge mobilization, support of grassroots advocacy, and sponsorship of pilot experiences. Our results suggest that the corporate sector is diversifying its repertoire of political strategies to promote education reform, and relying on an increasingly heterogeneous range of capitals (economic, political, and symbolic) for this purpose.