Social Class, Social Action, and Education: The Failure of Progressive Democracy

Middle-class progressives in the early 20th Century wanted to transform a corrupt and chaotic industrial America into an “authentic” democracy.  But they were led astray by their privilege. Focused on enhancing the voices of individuals, generations of progressives remained blind to the rich culture of “democratic solidarity” infusing labor unions and organizing in poor communities. This book traces the problematic evolution of progressive democracy in America, focusing on schools as a key site of progressive practice. At the same time, it examines alternative strategies for developing more empowering approaches to democratic education and collective action.