Primer of Libertarian Education

By Joel Spring

Book Overview

In this book Joel Spring traces the long tradition of libertarian opposition to established forms of schooling from Rousseau and William Godwin to A.S. Neill and Paulo Freire. He illuminates the central questions that have concerned radical educators: How can teaching encourage independence and self-reliance? Can rigid ideas and ideologies be avoided by radical educators? What is the contradiction between "schooling" and "education"? How does truly libertarian child rearing challenge the family structure? How can real learning free people so they can begin to change the world around them? Spring also discusses the ideas of several figures whose relevance to education is just beginning to be appreciated, including Max Stirner, Franciso Ferrer, Wilhelm Reich, and Tolstoy. Spring concludes with suggestions for what directions radical educational change might now take.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 155164116X
• ISBN13: 9781551641164
• Release Date: July 1975
• Publisher: Black Rose Books
• Length: 158 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.2" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

A Well Researched, Fascinating Exploration of the Relationship Between Educational Systems and Socia

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in alternative educational theories and systems. Joel Spring expertly melds a history of modern education practices with critiques from prominent thinkers in the field, while exploring various alternative models from around the world. While it is true that this book does not urge educators to employ the numerous examined theories and practices, it does offer broad exposure to a myraid of fascinating experiments in alternative education. The goal of this book is not to offer new dogmas for educators. Instead, it is offered as a launching pad for those interested in finding new ways to structure our education system and society with the objective of maximizing individual liberty, justice and social harmony.