Marxism Against Postmodernism in Educational Theory

by Dave Hill (Contributor), Peter McLaren (Editor), Mike Cole (Editor)

Postmodernism has become the orthodoxy in educational theory. It heralds the end of grand theories like Marxism and liberalism, scorning any notion of a united feminist challenge to patriachy, of united anti-racist struggle, and of united working-class movements against capitalist exploitation and oppression. For postmodernists, the world is fragmented, history is ended, and all struggles are local and particularistic. Written by internationally renowned British and American educational theorists Marxism Against Postmodernism in Educational Theory-a substantially revised edition of the original 1999 work Postmodernism in Educational Theory-critically examines the infusion of postmodernism and theories of postmodernity into educational theory, policy, and research. The writers argue that postmodernism provides neither a viable educational politics, nor the foundation for effective radical educational practice and offer an alternative 'politics of human resistance' which puts the challenge to capitalism firmly on the agenda of educational theory, politics, and practice.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

364 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Marxist political and educational activist. He is Research Professor in Education at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, England, and also Visiting Professor at the University of Limerick, Ireland, the Kapodistrian and National University of Athens, Greece, at Middlesex University, London. He was an elected Labour Party councillor for East Sussex and Brighton in the 1970s and 1980s, and contested in national and European elections.