The Demands of Liberal Education

What should the aims of education be in a liberal society? Who should exercise control over education? How can children be taught to become good citizens of a pluralistic state? The Demands of Liberal Education seeks to answer these questions by drawing on political theory, philosophy of education, and empirical research to develop a liberal theory of children's education. Author Meira Levinson argues that contrary to the assumptions of many philosophers, educators, parents, and politicians, the liberal state is obligated as a matter of justice to help all children develop the capacity for autonomy. Forwarding a provocative new view, Levinson contends that liberal governments should exercise much greater control over schools than they currently maintain.