A philosophical discussion of social cohesion as a goal of educational policy-making

摘要

This thesis examines what it means to take social cohesion seriously inudrelation to school educational policy. Much of the literature on such policy inudEnglish speaking countries has an explicit directive to promote 'civic bonds' inudschools. This thesis is a philosophical account of how we characterize theseudcivic bonds and a consideration of the educational implications for how we bestudencourage and develop them.udThe discussion identifies the necessary facets of civic relationships withinuda modern democratic society. It criticises theories of social cohesion as lackingudan analysis of the model of belonging used. To address this deficiency, threeudmetaphors for the civic relationship are considered: friendship, family and market.udA version of the family metaphor, democratic fraternity, it is argued, best providesudthe desired ideal civic bond.udThe research offers insight into the educational implications of civicudrelationships, social cohesion and school choice. It enquires into how metaphors,udmodels and social imaginaries give a framework for considering ourudinterrelatedness. It suggests we should extend our understanding of the interplayudbetween, on the one hand, the models and metaphors we adopt for civicudrelationships, and, on the other, the institutions we choose to teach and nurtureudthe relevant attitudes, virtues and values.udAs the models we adopt can have deep effects on the organisations weudcreate, the thesis then explores, through consideration of current practices,udimplications for school educational policy in relation to the promotion of civicudrelationships.