FEI #6

FEI Blog Post #6

Part One: Factual Question-What would Socialism in the United States be like?

 Socialism would be a system of economic and political democracy where individuals would have the right and obligation to structure their work lives through their own direct control. Americans social and economic conditions would facilitate the full development of human capacities through cooperation, democratic, equal, and participatory relationships.  Americans would gain cultural, emotional, and sensual fulfillment.

 (page 266)

Part Two: Evaluative Statement- I agree with the author’s stance on education. He says that socialist education is revolutionary education, in that administrators, teachers, and students need to have more control over what is being taught and how. (page 270) On page 268, the author writes that, “Democratic social relationships in production lead to highly motivated and productive workers, who will turn their creative powers toward the improvement of work.” This statement can reflect how a socialist classroom can work. When a school staff and students have more of a say in their education, it becomes more enjoyable and allows creativity to flow. I agree that for education to make this huge change we must recognize and the similarities between social relationships and economic life. Teachers need to teach students that work and personal development go hand in hand. Students learn through experience and the environment they grow up in. The author says that the teacher should not suppress an individual’s interests but nurture them. I agree with the author when he says, “The teacher must teach students the truth about our society; through demonstrating that alternatives superior to capitalism exist; through fighting racist, sexist, and other ideologies of privilege through criticizing and providing alternatives to a culture.”

(page 274) I relate to this comment. When I read it, it struck me. He is exactly right. I work in a very poverty stricken school where expectations for students aren’t held high and judgement is passed every day. And I will say that I have done it myself. But I need to start being that teacher that lets students know that they can be and do anything. I need to start teaching them about socialism when I start our classroom economy. I need to instill in each student that it doesn’t matter where they come from or what their situation is, they can become whatever they put their mind to. I need to instill this in them and use it as a guideline for classroom behavior and expectations. I would love to see our country’s educational system revolt for a Socialist education. Socialism is described as having full development of human capacities through cooperation, democratic, equal, and participatory relationships. People gain cultural, emotional, and sensual fulfillment. That to me sounds like an ideal classroom environment.

Part Three: Interpretive Question

What does the author mean when he talks about the process of human development is lost? (Pages 277-279)

 The author writes, “The institutions which govern the process of human development –families and schools as well as the workplace –have evolved historically in response to struggles among competing groups.” (Page 278) In my mind process of human development are basic needs, values, socialism, behaviors, and family. Is the author saying that our capitalist society has influenced that process of human development? The author then compares the school system to today’s working class people and their struggle to reach material wealth, class status, and capital. As I have been reading, I find it interesting that human development seems not to be changing but to include many more barriers than it ever has before. These barriers occur in school and work places due to high demand from government, state, and production rules and expectations.