Modern schooling arose with modernity, methinks. Without the state and the
idea that knowledge (that which enables competent action) is grounded in a
geometric rationality the school as we know it would be not be possible-and
such institutions did not exist before those organizing principles became
dominant. (Yes, there were always teachers but I am doubtful about
assimilating Plato's academy to our own-much less the Mesopatamians.)
Capitalism, Socialism, Syndicalism, Communism, Merchantilism, all modernist
economic models. They are allied with modern armies, the bureau, prisons,
and schools.
My concern is that we not misidentify the culprit, (by blaming capitalism
20th or otherwise) but that in rejecting the questionable cause we not
reject all difference and hence all possibility of change. It has not
always been thus. And thus it need not always be so.
There were not always and in all places remarkable similarities between the
punishment of 'crime' and the practices of schooling.
No doubt picking nits, John St. Julien
>Good point, Mike. For me, the more precise notions/phenomena connected with
>mainstream schooling are alienation and totalitarism which are not unique to
>capitalism. Probably, they are something to do with city-based
>civilizations.
>
>For some people, like me, capitalism offers much less alienation and
>totalitarism than some other regimes. Thanks for reminding our immigrant
>status :-) Speaking in the math language, the direction of immigration
>indicates the gradient of the world misery.
>
>What do you think?
>
>Eugene
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Mike Cole [mailto:mcole@weber.ucsd.edu]
>> Sent: Sunday, May 30, 1999 8:46 PM
>> To: xmca who-is-at weber.ucsd.edu
>> Subject: 20th century capitalism?
>>
>>
>>
>> Eugene et al et al et al--
>>
>> Why do you link contemporary forms of schooling to capitalism? So far
>> as I can tell from my amateur studies of schooling in Mesopatamia,
>> and Egypt circa 2000BC, the forms and contents of education woudl be
>> highly approved of by 1999 U.S. Congressional committees. I am being
>> serious. What is new here? And what does it have to do with capitalism?
>> Eugene? Matvey? You have been real "lucky" to live under the paradise of
>> Soviet socialsm.
>> Chto zdes novovo?
>> (Vots gnu kheer?)
>> mike
>>