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Between equality and freedom of choice: Educational opportunities for the least advantaged

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  • Brando, Nicolás

Abstract

This paper re-examines the philosophical debate between egalitarians and libertarians regarding school choice. Section 2 looks at the egalitarian approach defended by Harry Brighouse and Adam Swift, analysing its proposals for restricting parental partiality in search of achieving more educational equality among socioeconomic groups. Section 3 presents the most relevant critique to the egalitarian approach, and the alternative libertarian proposal defended by James Tooley. It argues that the egalitarian approach does not succeed in benefiting the least advantaged, and that it is too restrictive on fundamental freedoms. As an alternative, Tooley proposes to focus on benefiting the least advantaged by ensuring them an adequate education through an expansion of their scope of educational choice, and charity. Section 4 presents a critique of Tooley’s approach, arguing that: first, adequacy does not benefit the least advantaged, and, second, that its exclusive focus on freedom of choice disregards the responsibility for those harmed by one’s freedom. Section 5 closes by proposing that a redistributive mechanism can solve the deficiencies with both accounts (in non-ideal circumstances) by maintaining the scope of parental freedom, and benefiting the least advantaged through compensation for their unfair positional disadvantage.

Suggested Citation

  • Brando, Nicolás, 2017. "Between equality and freedom of choice: Educational opportunities for the least advantaged," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 71-79.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:injoed:v:53:y:2017:i:c:p:71-79
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2016.12.007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oecd, 2015. "What Lies Behind Gender Inequality in Education?," PISA in Focus 49, OECD Publishing.
    2. Torben M Andersen, 2015. "Human Capital, Inequality and Growth," European Economy - Discussion Papers 007, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    3. Glewwe, Paul & Kassouf, Ana Lucia, 2012. "The impact of the Bolsa Escola/Familia conditional cash transfer program on enrollment, dropout rates and grade promotion in Brazil," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(2), pages 505-517.
    4. repec:wbk:wbpubs:2612 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. repec:wbk:wbpubs:13848 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Harry Brighouse & Adam Swift, 2008. "Putting Educational Equality in Its Place," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 3(4), pages 444-466, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gajardo, Felipe & Grau, Nicolás, 2019. "Competition among schools and educational quality: Tension between various objectives of educational policy," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 123-133.
    2. Bonal, Xavier & Zancajo, Adrián, 2018. "Demand rationalities in contexts of poverty: Do the Poor respond to market incentives in the same way?," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 20-27.
    3. Chun-Chien Lin & Yen-Ling Lin, 2025. "The Role of Happiness in Strengthening ESG-Driven Green HRM Practices and Organizational Sustainability," Advances in Management and Applied Economics, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 15(3), pages 1-7.
    4. Krafft, Caroline & Elbadawy, Asmaa & Sieverding, Maia, 2019. "Constrained school choice in Egypt," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).

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