Market-oriented policies and the learning society: the case of New Zealand

This chapter contributes to an examination of the politics of lifelong learning in societies that are, or were formerly, broadly 'welfare' societies. Since the mid-1980s, successive New Zealand governments have initiated educational, economic and social restructuring which has resulted in radical changes to schooling and postcompulsory education. This chapter provides a critical analysis of the impact of these changes from a labour studies perspective that emphasises the concerns of working people. The author argues that the move towards a consumer oriented, market approach to lifelong learning is fundamentally at odds with the democratic assumptions characterising thinking and practice in adult education for decades.

The volume from which this chapter is taken is indexed at TD/TNC 67.110. Selected chapters are indexed from TD/TNC 67.111 to TD/TNC 67.125.

This chapter contributes to an examination of the politics of lifelong learning in societies that are, or were formerly, broadly 'welfare' societies. Since the mid-1980s, successive New Zealand governments have initiated educational, economic and social restructuring which has resulted in radical changes to schooling and postcompulsory education. This chapter provides a critical analysis of the impact of these changes from a labour studies perspective that emphasises the concerns of working people. The author argues that the move towards a consumer oriented, market approach to ...  [+] Show more