Revisiting and Revolutionizing Education's Role in a Liberal Democracy

• In Event: Democracy, Dialogue, and Democratic Design in Education

Abstract

What type of right is education in a democracy? Some argue that education is a secondary right that must yield to more fundamental liberties. Others suggest that education is critical to developing autonomy. Yet this presents challenges when, in cases like Wisconsin v. Yoder, autonomy for one group means limiting another's. How ought education be prioritized amongst other goods?


Rawls’ outline of the basic structure can provide a useful tool to assess this relationship. In this paper, I argue that education is the primary mechanism in the basic structure for people to fully access their rights scheme. This gives education a higher priority, making it critical that – based on the two principles – all people receive equal access to it.

Author

• Megan Bogia, Harvard University