The Impact of Standardization and Control

The Impact of Standardization and Control

The previous chapter traced the particular nature of current global economic activities and argued that by understanding the nature and dynamics of the dominant model – the Anglo-Saxon ‘turbocapitalist’ one – it is possible to begin to understand the fragmented backdrop to much national, local and personal activity – both within education and beyond it. It was also suggested that such fragmentation was exacerbated by the increased influence of current versions of ‘consumerism’, which undermine cultural concepts, redefine self-images, reduce personal citizenship visions and increase the neglect of notions of public good, the need for a public sector and a healthy welfare state.

One set of fragmenting consequences, particularly from economic globalization, stems from the ...