The United States is at a turning point in its history. Insurrection has become a dominant motif describing a country torn between the promises and ideals of democracy and an emergent authoritarianism that trades in lies, lawlessness, and a rebranded fascist politics. In this article, I analyze the contrasting visions, politics, and role of…

This paper explores liberation movement theory from educational and historical standpoints. Liberation movement theory is defined as a theory in which the oppressed seek personal, political, and social development through freedom from domination. In this paper, liberation, non-formal education, and popular education are learning theories that are…

In the past, non-formal education in South Africa was committed to supporting the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) in opposition to apartheid. Such non-formal political education was concerned with education for democracy. Post 1994, South African adult education policy has exclusively concentrated on vocational training, shifting the focus away…

This article features the book "Rebel Literacy: Cuba's National Literacy Campaign and Critical Global Citizenship," by Mark Abendroth, a step-child of the Critical Pedagogy Program at the University of Saint Thomas. As a scholar-activist, Abendroth has produced a courageous and prescient volume that will impact the field of critical…

Although most articles and chapters on the Cooperative Extension Service (CES) begin with its early history and focus on its development from an institutional or broad programmatic perspective, this chapter examines the relationship between community economic development and popular education. It shows how CES's educational principles are…

Comparing popular education in the Philippines and South Korea, it is clear that a number of similarities and differences exist regarding the characteristics, methods, and main fields in which popular education has operated. "Church-related practices," "uniting with CO movements," "an elite-led tendency," and "a…

Summarizes Freire's contributions to the concepts of critical reflection, conscientization, emancipatory education, and problem posing. Identifies criticisms in the areas of nondirective education, popular culture, dualistic thinking, and applicability of his ideas. (SK)

This article will focus upon the life and work of Johan Hendrik Swildens, who is widely recognized in the literature as one of the foremost spokesmen of the category of "public educators" who played a significant role in the dissemination of specific interpretations of 'constitutional enlightenment' that were endorsed by specific factions …

This book explores relationships among democracy, social capital, and community-based mediating structures, focusing on Appalachia because of the obvious failures of market capitalism there. It suggests that mediating structures protect communities from the savage side of market capitalism and promote the democratic prospect by increasing and…

This manual provides materials for a 6-day workshop to develop skills in democratic learning and teaching practices. Goals of the workshop are as follows: (1) train facilitators to use the methodology; (2) introduce people in the African National Congress (ANC) to the potential of popular education methodology; (3) determine follow-up action to…

N.F.S. Grundtvig was a priest, historian, poet, and founder of the Danish Folk High School. He believed that education for adults should be geared to adults and wanted schools to be independent of the church. Grundtvig was among the first to call for Denmark's schools to use the native Danish language. Grundtvig believed that each group or culture…

Adult education theory and practice has long been involved in identifying spaces where counter-hegemonic learning can take place. Civil society is regarded as the site par-excellence for providing space in which to learn free from power and domination and from the state and economy. Another dimension to the recent focus on civil society as a site…

A Guatemalan program teaches Indigenous working children where they work--in the streets. The teachers, who are also Mayan, accommodate student needs and involve parents. This program of popular education empowers poor children and adults to participate in public life and lead the way in the creation of a democracy. (Contains 20 references.) (TD)

Intended for educators, this book aims to build their skills and confidence as they educate for social change. Chapter 1 is about strategy--factors to consider before getting involved in an educational program. It discusses the importance of putting oneself as an educator into the picture and of analyzing the broader social context in which…

This manual provides materials for a 6-day workshop for immigrant women working on the issue of woman abuse; it is intended to help them do their own programs in their own language out of their own cultural context. Objectives of the course are as follows: to increase educator skills and confidence in (1) developing learning activities and using…