Democratic Education: Revised Edition

by Amy Gutmann

A groundbreaking classic that lays out and defends a democratic theory of education

Who should have the authority to shape the education of citizens in a democracy? This is the central question posed by Amy Gutmann in the first book-length study of the democratic theory of education. The author tackles a wide range of issues, from the democratic case against book banning to the role of teachers' unions in education, as well as the vexed questions of public support for private schools and affirmative action in college admissions.

Genres: Education, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Politics, Academic

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Amy Gutmann is the 8th President of the University of Pennsylvania and the Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Communications, and Philosophy. She is a political theorist who taught at Princeton University from 1976 to 2004 and served as its Provost.

Reviews

[Carlyn Crow · Rating 2 out of 5]

that special time of year i realize i am not going to hit my reading goal so i start logging my grad school textbooks

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A major book on the philosophy of public education. Reframes goals around the formation of citizen of a democracy rather than an economic player/producer. This new edition includes new prologue and epilogue by the author.

Definitely not an easy read (written with an academic's worldview) but still I think it is clear enough in structure and careful in defining terms that it is an extremely valuable thing to read if at all confused, angry, or concerned about public education.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book gets some bad reviews because it is difficult to read. You don't have to agree with Gutmann or like her writing style to see that she is a great thinker. IMO, not every topic can be exciting, fun, etc. It is what it is.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am glad I have read this book for now the pain is over!

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it a few summers ago for a class at BSU. I like the theory: that the purpose of education is NOT to create workers, but democratic participoants. Verbose, but worth the time.

[Michael Medlen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clearly an outdated and very left-leaning book arguing that education lay in the hands of citizens of the USA, without discussing how to finance such an education instead of leaving these matters to parents and individuals.

A required reading for my education degree back in 2007-2008, one could argue that this book is borderline propaganda.

[Elke · Rating 3 out of 5]

i've only read the intro and parts of chapter one so far but this is painful for me to read. every paragraph or point she is making is three times longer than it needs to be. urgh!

EDIT: okay. after finishing the first two chapters, i will add another star to it's writing. she's making a good point about what education should REALLY look like in a democracy. however, she could still work on sentence length. just spit it out guttman! i will resist rating it until i am finished with the whole book.

[Meg · Rating 1 out of 5]

First time I've been told that the goal of public school eduction is "to equip citizens to participate meaningfully in the democratic process." (democratic threshold) Government, therefore, supersedes parents' right to educate their children--that's the old-fashioned patriarchal concept of a single authority figure whose power is based in the Bible and "divine right of kings" heirarchy.
The goal of everyone is to live the "good life."

[Micheal Hoffman · Rating 1 out of 5]

The liberal values are so hard to find in this book that Amy Gutmann almost appears as a quasi-communitarian. Essentially, the democratic body decides what education should be even if this undermines values such as truth.

[Adam Gutschenritter · Rating 3 out of 5]

My brain hurts. Gutman lays a lot of foundational ideas of what education should be set up like in a democratic society, while also exposing a variety of problems that pop up as different group vie for control.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A seminal book in the philosophy of education that presents a compelling alternative to equality as the educational standard.

[Guisela · Rating 2 out of 5]

?????? I did not enjoy this book

[Sara Swanson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to read it for school. Did NOT enjoy at all.