The current process of globalisation has led to a convergence of international and Spanish concerns regarding teaching and research issues in the area of comparative education. Both in their teaching and their research work, the academics within the Spanish comparative community display a notable -- and typically Hispanic -- heterogeneity. This…

On what might a comparative discussion of philosophy of education that takes Europe as one of its terms be based? This paper begins by addressing the complexity that attaches to the name "Europe" in this context in order to lay the way for a more detailed consideration of so-called "Continental" philosophy--specifically of…

In its "adolescent" phase of development, comparative education engaged with a wide variety of social theories. The next period of comparative education scholarship is likely to be characterized by a focus on global trends, rigorous blending of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and commitment to pursuing more general insights about how…

The field of comparative education has been slow to incorporate poststructuralist concerns due to theoretical bias, the linguistic barrier of postmodernist discourses, and the critique of postmodernism as indifferent to social issues. Debates on key questions of epistemology, ontology, and ethics in social research are needed to further…

Continuing education is exposed to global market forces in that it must relate to changing global workforce structures and demands and is itself a marketable commodity. This allows no simple comparisons between nations or occupations. Preliminary framework for comparative analysis of continuing education encompasses clientele, qualifications,…

Globalization and post-modernity are linked to changes in the nature of late capitalism and crises in the modern state. Neither offers much in practice to the much needed renewal of democracy, including in education. Indeed, both arguably contribute to a trend towards individualism, and a retreat from democratic engagement and visions of the…

Describes the "Enlightenment program" (often equated with modernity) and postmodernist criticisms of Enlightenment thought. Discusses the notions of Europe and Europeans as reflecting social inclusion/exclusion as much as geography. Examines the relevance of postmodernist theories to school and university knowledge systems, highlighting…

Ideas from postpositivist thinking have been particularly challenging for comparative education scholarship and its metanarratives. Analysis of articles in major comparative education journals in the 1990s examines the integration of ideas from 10 poststructuralist thinkers and explores in detail the appropriation of Foucault's ideas and…

Examines the social and cultural implications of the converging technologies known as the Information Superhighway. Draws together arguments from key commentators and critics to identify possibilities and potential dangers related to quality of life, social justice, and politics. Aims to help educators move beyond current instrumental perspectives…

In several countries, university purposes and functions are being renegotiated as governments insist on a certain kind of "product" and careful measures of university "productivity." Identifies immediate consequences for university culture, particularly displacement of academic leadership by a culture of "management." Argues that the university is…

Comparative education is late in addressing postmodern issues because of its traditional theoretical orientation and focus on practice and policy. Ideal-typical models illustrate how "modern" educational goals based on notions of national culture and a social contract are being replaced by postmodern emphases on efficiency and…

Emergence of global communications networks raises questions about the nature of pluralism, community, delivery of education, construction of knowledge, and role of comparative educators in a postindustrial world. Ownership, access, and definition and distribution of knowledge will become major policy issues. Networking experiences in telemedicine…

Outlines a set of generic "problems" emanating from the global economy that constitute the contemporary social, political, and economic conditions for educational and social policy making. Discusses the emergence of ideological and "magical" solutions to these problems, the dissemination of such solutions, and their…

Examines changing aspects of communication due to globalization and internationalization: "genre" (social effects on production of text), national culture and literary canon, new communication modes and media, and impacts on communication curricula. Forecasts development of a new mode of thinking about meaning and semiotics in which…