Authority, Bureaucracy and the Education Debate

• Published in: Oxford review of education Vol. 3; no. 3; pp. 217 - 233
• Main Author: Halsey, A.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.1977; Carfax Publishing; Carfax Publ. Co
• Subjects: Authority/Authorities/Authoritative; Bureaucracy/Bureaucracies/ Bureaucrat/ Bureaucratic; Charisma; Children; Civil service; Corporate bureaucracy; Democracy; Democratic authority; Education/Educational/Educator/ Educators/ Educationally; Government bureaucracy; Great Britain (see also Britain, England, UK); Parents; Political debate; Socialism
• ISSN: 0305-4985; 1465-3915
• DOI: 10.1080/0305498770030302

Three talks given on the BBC's "Personal Views" series are condensed. Three types of authority are discussed: rational-legal, charisma, & tradition. Terms are defined & it is assumed that tradition is the most beneficial authority. It is defined as including democracy, the consensus of free men willing to accept the majority will. Two areas where this principle could be applied are the nation-state & the industrial sector. Tradition of democracy is seen as the essential means to a better society & as the main defense against rejection of society. Bureaucracy is also discussed in terms of its status as the dominant working principle. Native political traditions of socialism threaten democracy more than other political theories. Bureaucracy is distinguished from other forms of human authority by its stability & its capacity to attain a high degree of efficiency. The rise of democracy & bureaucracy is outlined & different modes of legitimization of bureaucracies are discussed. The legitimacy of professional bureaucratic decisions should be judged both scientifically & by using the citizen as "his own best expert." The Prime Minister's Seminar on education is discussed. Three emphases are: the need for a common core curriculum, the monitoring of standards, & the link between education & industry. The failure of schools is analyzed. Attention is given to the position of married women & the need to recognize the family as the institution which most influences the child's education. M. Koonin.