A Political Sociology of Education Policy

“A highly original take on educational segregation and the need for a political sociology that is up to the job of adequately grasping its nature, while also identifying opportunities for change. An innovative and important book.” David James, Cardiff University

"In a time of growing political divisions and widening gaps in academic possibilities, Helen Gunter's advocacy for a more politically conscious stance in policy evaluation resonates deeply ... A Political Sociology of Education Policy is an influential work in the realm of education policy studies. Gunter’s insightful analysis and thorough studies offer a useful example of the complicated interaction between politics, ideology, and education reform. This book is important for individuals looking to understand the multiple dynamics influencing present-day instructional environments." Amani Bouchareb, Amar Telidji University

"A Political Sociology of Education Policy is a trenchant dissection of the structural inequalities that have long persisted in the English education system. Gunter combines the theoretical insights of Bourdieu and Arendt to lay bare the uncomfortable truth: that the rhetoric of modernisation, choice, and innovation is but a veneer for the enduring project of social stratification. Gunter reveals how education policy, far from being an apolitical force, recycles the very inequalities it purports to dismantle. ... This book, in its meticulous analysis and uncompromising stance, stands as an impressive contribution to the continuing struggle against educational segregation – a struggle that demands not just academic engagement but active resistance." British Journal of Educational Studies

Helen M. Gunter is Professor Emerita at the University of Manchester. She has a global reputation for excellence in education policy research and acclaim for Arendtian and Bourdieusian scholarship.

1. Introduction: Education reform claimocracy

Part 1: A political sociology of education policy

2. Modernising education

3. Governing by knowledge production

4. Policy mortality

Part 2: A political sociology of education policy in action

5. Vantage points

6. Viewpoints

7. Regimes of practice

8. Exchange relationships

9. Critical education policy studies

10. Conclusion: Intellectual activism