Capitalism and Public Education in the United States

Abstract

The United States democratic system includes characteristics of capitalism as well as socialism. Perhaps the most socialistic endeavor of the US is its K-12 public school system; in fact, US public schools are necessary for democracy to thrive and to create an educated and well-informed populace. However, capitalism and socialism are strange bedfellows. The soft underbelly of capitalism - greed - has become a problematic influence for K-12 schools. This paper examines the history of US public schools and the influence of capitalism focusing on problems associated with greed at the individual and corporate level.

Keywords

• capitalism
• socialism
• No Child Left Behind
• Race To the Top
• Every Student Succeeds Act