Neoliberalism: The Ideology That Dares Not Speak Its Name

[Eric the Green]

Of course, unions do their job in both the private and public sector to protect the interests of their members. Before the neo-liberal era, private unions were stronger. Now, in the neo-liberal era, public unions are much stronger and more common than private ones. Public sector unions are needed to protect public workers' interests, no doubt. But often it is the public whom these unions strike against. They are the only source of the salary increases they want, and poor school boards and other public authorities are caught in the middle.

But there's no essential reason why there can't be private teachers' unions as well as public ones, especially if education is going to become an industry like making cars or rolling steel. So unions may both improve or retard the quality of products and services provided by the institutions they organize. Fair payment for teachers helps both the teachers and the students, and are essential for a good educational "product" and service. But to improve education, a social movement will be needed that's focused on how education is carried out. George Carlin's picture of what education is for, is all too common in practice. Turn out obedient workers who won't ask questions. That serves the neo-liberals well, and placates the Democrats' need to kowtow to the call for "standards." But it's not the model we want for an innovative and creative society that can compete with other nations. It's not what will make America great again.




Neoliberalism, Youth, and Social Justice