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"Reformism" and the liberal culture: global trends in education reform, 1970–2019

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  • Choi, Minju
  • Nachtigal, Tom
  • Yang, Marcia
  • Song, Jieun
  • Overbey, Lisa
  • Bromley, Patricia

Abstract

Amid rising backlash against democracy and economic globalisation, we examine how political and economic dimensions of liberalism shape patterns of education reform. We argue that 'reformism' intensifies when liberal culture is stronger at both national and global levels, reflecting the distinctive attention liberalism gives to both reform as a vehicle for social change and education as a pathway to progress. Drawing on a cross-national database of education reforms from 1970 to 2019, we find that both world-average and country-levels of liberal democracy and market openness are associated with greater reporting of education reforms. Global levels of liberalism also shape the extent to which education reforms emphasise human rights and justice or human capital and economic productivity but national levels do not. These findings suggest that reformism is embedded in liberalism, and that the worldwide erosion of liberal principles may have profound consequences for the future of the global education agenda.

Suggested Citation

  • Choi, Minju & Nachtigal, Tom & Yang, Marcia & Song, Jieun & Overbey, Lisa & Bromley, Patricia, 2026. ""Reformism" and the liberal culture: global trends in education reform, 1970–2019," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, issue Latest Ar, pages 1-17.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:341332
    DOI: 10.1080/03050068.2026.2656038
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