Revolutionary Social Transformation : Democratic Hopes, Political Possibilities and Critical Education

by Allman, Paula

• ISBN13: 9780897898034
• ISBN10: 0897898036
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-07-30
• Publisher: Greenwood Pub Group

Summary

The author employs both "a language of critique" and "a language of possibility" to argue that the process of social transformation must be inherently educational. Social transformation begins in prefigurative, preparatory projects and continues even after the creation of a new social formation. She also argues that Marx's materialist theory of consciousness--his theory of critical praxis--informs the thinking of both Freire and Gramsci. The ideas of Freire and Gramsci together with Marx's dialectical conceptualization of capitalism provide essential ingredients for the type of critical theory of educational praxis necessary for authentic social transformation. These ingredients also indicate how local transformative efforts can be linked to the global project for social transformation and ultimately the ending of all oppression.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword	ix
Henry A. Giroux
Foreword	xiii
Peter McLaren
Acknowledgments	xxi
Introduction: Rationale and Orientation	1	(8)
The Vision	9	(24)
Consciousness	33	(28)
Dialectical Conceptualization and Understanding Capitalism	61	(24)
Education and Social Transformation: The Ideas of Freire and Gramsci	85	(42)
More on Visions: Re-Creating Our Concepts of Democracy, Truth and Equality	127	(16)
Further Readings	143	(4)
Index	147