More Than Competition, More Than Information

Abstract

In the last chapter, I argued that the negative impact of viewing education simply and solely as a product is significant. I also claimed earlier in the book that such a position was neither inherently “anti-business” nor does it deny the importance and value of bringing products to market. The problem, as I and others see it, with limiting our understanding of education to being just a product has to do with how neoliberals frame the issue—namely that the market simultaneously determines what products are of value and are worth promoting, while also requiring that these products, including education, serve the market’s needs, as in producing profit. Successfully contextualizing education in this manner has allowed neoliberals to influence and control education reform to the detriment of students, teachers, administrators, and entire communities.