The term “Political Economy” is widely used in educational topics and discussions, let it be in the shape of the political economy of development, the political economy of trade, or the political economy of media. Political Economy is an interdisciplinary approach whereby Political science, economics, history, and sociology are used to examine how political institutions and the economic system influence each other. This field is conducive in signifying how all decisions and actions are politically and economically motivated. However, one sphere that often gets ignored whilst donning the lens of political economy is education itself. From schools to universities and public institutions to private groups, the role of political economy in shaping the learning experience is crucial and dictates how opinions and mindsets are shaped and curated. The ongoing Genocide in Gaza and the resulting stance that several Universities in the USA have taken highlight the critical importance of the political economy of education.
The political economy of education can be distilled into two main factors, namely political and economic, which interact and play a major role in shaping the transmission of education.
Political Factors:
Governments have a significant role in shaping the education experience, they set the education policies and ideological stances which are perpetuated. Universities in the USA for example, operate in a certain political environment that is very explicitly pro-Israel, their actions against protests and the unjust disciplinary punishments given to those indulging in basic human rights activism are a testament to the political environment they operate in. Similarly in Pakistan as well, political influence in education is fairly evident. The example of a Single National Curriculum is conducive to showcasing the control and influence governments have or seek to have. The committee assigned to make the curriculum constituted mainly of Islamic scholars and thus the proposal presented by the committee was influenced heavily by their narratives and beliefs. Even disciplines like biology were censored and trimmed to ensure all that is taught coincides with their interpretation of Islam and social values. Similarly, Pakistan studies books have long been exposed to criticism for over-glorifying the military victories of the nation and distorting the reality of what actually happened. Many important historical events are sugar-coated and presented in an overly optimistic manner.
Economic Factors:
Economic factors determine the resources available for educational institutions. At a government level, the distribution of financial resources impacts the availability and quality of education. Major Cities are given most of the education budget and the rural population is often ignored, depriving them of their right to quality education. Moreover, private schools charge a hefty fee, limiting education to only those of a certain economic stature. Furthermore, in the case of universities, they are heavily reliant on funding, let it be government grants, donations, or sponsorships from corporations. Often these funding sources have strong political views and thus universities are compelled to prioritize policies that are in line with the views of their stakeholders to maintain strong financial relationships. Most Universities in the USA are heavily funded by Pro-Israel donors or corporations, the arrest of students at peaceful protests and suspension and denial of diplomas is merely an attempt to satisfy the donors and to maintain a forced outlook that is Pro-Israel, even though it comes at the expense of the curtailment of free speech and academic freedom.
It thus becomes necessary to question whether education as an act is unbiased and nondiscriminatory. How are policies made? Whose interests are prioritized? Who controls the resources? Are funding and donations a noble act or are they means to a transaction? All these questions amalgamate the principles of the political economy of education. More critical examination and advocacy are required to not only further understand and comprehend the external influences on education but to also ensure that education remains to serve as a tool to foster empowerment and equity rather than maintaining the existing power structures.
The blog about how politics and money influence education is eye-opening. It shows how governments control what students learn and how funding sources can limit academic freedom. This affects how students see the world and whether education really gives everyone a fair chance. It makes me think about whether our schools and universities are truly fair and unbiased, or if they favor certain ideas and groups. It's a reminder that we need to push for education that encourages critical thinking and includes everyone, no matter their background or beliefs.
The political aspect in the post talked about Pakistan studies and how the history has been molded and many historic figures have been over glorified, we see this trend not only in Pakistan but in most countries as a sense of nationalism and loyalty towards their own country is developed in the minds of students through education.
I really like your blog!! You've done a really good job of shedding light on the ways in which money and politics affect our educational system. It's interesting to observe how US colleges restrict free speech to please funders, and how particular views on religion influence Pakistan's curriculum. The financial aspect is also very important, since it explains why urban schools receive more financing than rural ones and why many people cannot afford private education. It truly gets you thinking: how can we maintain impartiality and fairness in education? How can we weaken the hold that influential funders have over academic freedom? And how can we make sure all students, wherever they may live, have an equal opportunity to get a high-quality education? Do…
While you did talk about political and economic factors influencing education. I think it is important to see from where such biased political views came into being? They are mostly derived from media and how multiple governments used media to harness such thinking and ideas into us. While you talked about universities of US having pro-Israel agenda is, it is vital to see that even University like Harvard student have freedom of speech but when they post anything pro-Palestine they faced backlash on media, getting threats or pressure to remove it or do not associate the university name with it. Moreover, as social media platforms are widely by US corporations, they enhance pro-Israel content and hampers all Palestine content. Lastly,…
I believe that political and economic influences on education don't just distort its essence; they can also be powerful forces for promoting diversity, inclusion, and fairness in our learning environments. For instance, see how affirmative action policies at universities like Harvard and the University of California open doors for underrepresented groups, enriching our campus communities with diverse perspectives and fostering understanding among students like me. In places like Pakistan, while the Single National Curriculum has its critics, I understand its goal to ensure that every student, regardless of background, has access to a quality education. Government initiatives like India's Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan have shows how targeted funding can transform rural education, giving students in remote areas the same opportunities I'v…