The Education of Radical Democracy

Description

The Education of Radical Democracy explores why radical democracy is so necessary, difficult, and possible and why it is important to understand it as an educative activity . The book draws on critical social theory and critical pedagogy to explain what enables and sustains work for radical democratization, and considers how we can begin such work in neoliberal societies today. Exploring examples of projects from the nineteenth century to the present day, the book sheds light on a wealth of critical tools, research studies, theoretical concepts and practical methods. It offers a critical reading of the ‘crisis of hope’ in neoliberal capitalist societies, focusing on the problem of the ‘contraction of possibilities’ for democratic agency, resistance to domination, and practices of freedom. It argues that radically democratic thinking, practice, and forms of social organization are vital for countering and overcoming systemic hegemonies and that these can be learned and cultivated. This book will be of interest to academics, practitioners, researchers, and students in education and critical theory, and to those interested in the sociology, philosophy and politics of hope. It also invites new dialogues between theorists of neoliberal power and political possibility, those engaged in projects for radical democratization, and teachers in formal and informal educational settings. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Acknowledgements Introduction: foreshining, or possibility in dark times 1 A question of learning hope 2 Refusing despair: the chance of the new alternatives 3 Living on the Front of the world 4 Radical democracy: a fragile promise 5 Encouraging democracy: foundations of radical reason 6 Educational pioneers on the democratic frontier 7 Cultivating counter-capitalism, educating the politics of possibility 8 Radical democracy: a pedagogy of hope Index