What is the difference between 'Marketization' and 'State Provision' in education?

Marketization introduces competition and choice, treating schools like businesses that must attract customers to survive. State provision involves the government managing and funding schools directly, often resulting in a 'one size fits all' approach with less incentive for schools to compete.

How does the New Right view of the state's role differ from the Functionalist view?

Functionalists see the state as a positive provider of social solidarity and shared values. The New Right views the state as an inefficient 'nanny' that stifles innovation and argues the state should only provide a framework for a private-sector-style market.

When should a school be considered 'successful' according to New Right principles?

A school is successful when it attracts a high number of students (consumers) and achieves high rankings in league tables. This success is measured by the school's ability to meet the demands of parents and the needs of the economy.

What is the 'Parentocracy' misconception regarding social class?

The misconception is that all parents have equal power to choose. In reality, middle-class parents often have more 'cultural capital' and economic resources to exploit the system, meaning 'choice' is often restricted by social class.

Why is it an error to say the New Right wants no government involvement in education?

The New Right actually advocates for a strong state role in two specific areas: establishing a National Curriculum to promote national identity and creating an inspection/testing regime to monitor school performance.

What goes wrong when schools engage in 'cream-skimming'?

Cream-skimming occurs when high-performing schools select only the most able, typically middle-class students. This leaves less successful schools with a higher proportion of students who are more expensive or difficult to teach, widening the gap between schools.

Define 'Formula Funding' in the context of New Right policy.

Formula funding is a system where a school's budget is determined by the number of pupils it attracts. This creates a direct link between a school's popularity and its financial resources, forcing schools to compete for students.

What is 'Vocationalism'?

Vocationalism is the emphasis on teaching practical skills and knowledge directly related to specific jobs. The New Right supports this to ensure the education system serves the needs of industry and the national economy.

Define 'Marketization'.

Marketization is the process of introducing market forces of consumer choice and competition into areas run by the state, such as education, to increase efficiency and standards.

Why do Chubb and Moe argue for a 'voucher' system in education?

They argue that giving parents vouchers to 'spend' at the school of their choice would force schools to be more responsive to parental demands. This would break the monopoly of state-run education and drive up standards through competition.

Neoliberalism & The New Right View of Education | AQA AS-Level Sociology

Neoliberalism & The New Right View of Education

Summary

The New Right perspective on education is a political and economic philosophy that advocates for the marketization of schooling. It argues that state-run education is inherently inefficient and that introducing free-market principles—such as competition, consumer choice, and accountability—is the most effective way to drive up academic standards and ensure the education system meets the needs of the economy.

1. Definition & Core Philosophy

Neoliberalism is an economic approach suggesting that the state should not provide services like education or health; instead, these should be subject to the free market to ensure efficiency and value for money.
The New Right is a conservative political ideology that incorporates neoliberal economic ideas, arguing that the 'one size fits all' state education system fails to meet individual needs or maintain high standards.
A central tenet is that competition between schools is the primary driver of improvement, as schools must perform well to attract 'customers' (parents and students) and secure funding.
They believe education should be geared toward vocationalism, ensuring that the workforce is equipped with the specific skills required for global economic competitiveness.

A diagram showing the cyclical nature of marketization: Competition leads to Parental Choice, which dictates Formula Funding, ultimately forcing schools to raise standards to survive.

2. Underlying Principles: The Failure of State Provision

New Right thinkers argue that state education is unresponsive to its 'consumers' because it is managed by a 'local authority bureaucracy' that prioritizes its own interests over those of parents.
They claim that because state schools have a guaranteed intake regardless of performance, they have no incentive to improve, leading to a 'culture of low expectations.'
Chubb and Moe argue that private schools perform better because they are answerable to paying parents; therefore, state education should be restructured to mimic this market relationship.
The principle of Parentocracy (rule by parents) replaces the traditional power of the state, shifting the focus from what the government wants to what parents demand for their children.

3. Methods & Techniques: Implementing the Market

4. Key Distinctions: New Right vs. Other Perspectives

5. Exam Strategy & Tips

6. Common Pitfalls & Misconceptions