Argues that political scientists should take a more active role in the current efforts to encourage the development of democratic institutions in developing countries. Maintains that political scientists could provide a needed perspective currently lacking in the efforts run by lawyers, ex-public officials, and journalists. (MJP)

Profiles the contributions of Fred Clarke whose lifelong career in international education focused on the the relationship between politics and education in a democratic context. Specifically addresses Clarke's early work with the development of vocational education in British South Africa, his subsequent disillusionment, and the effect this had…

Current trends, major controversies, and challenges in educational economics in Eastern and Central Europe resulting from dramatic social and political change since 1989 are examined. Democratization of decision making, an immediate trend toward decentralized administration, transformation of relationships between general government and education,…

Debunks mythologizing reform data concerning technology, inclusion, multiculturalism, and money. Finds little evidence that technology improves student achievement, that mainstreaming serves all special-needs students, or that minorities will soon dominate U.S. demographics. Americans' low-bid attitude toward education has created a plethora of…

Examines changes in the foreign policy of Portugal from their transition to democracy to more recent years. Maintains that emerging democracies go through a period of change where nationalist cultural and political ideas give way to more internationalist concerns. Reviews the major players, actions, and political theories that have dominated…

Presents a lesson plan that teaches students to analyze and identify the constitutional rights that protect individuals accused of crimes. Student handouts include a checklist of situations and corresponding constitutional protections and a scenario involving a murder at the school. Activities include guided group discussions. (MJP)

Discusses a course on U.S. Congress in which students analyze Congress as an institution, the role of Congress in the political system, and Congressional members. Emphasizes the role Congress should play in the Madisonian policy process. Examines the history of Congress, budgetary politics, foreign policy, and congressional reforms. Includes…

Examines the current relationship between religious liberty and U.S. democracy. Presents a proposal to reforge the U.S. public philosophy according to the notion of chartered pluralism that celebrates the diversity embodied in the First Amendment. Ties this to the conflict between communitarianism and libertarianism. (DB)

Asserts that issues of equality and equity are important to teachers and school administrators. Reviews previous research and reports on interviews with students about their conceptions of fairness. Includes a table illustrating how students develop conceptions of fairness and a class survey. (CFR)

If the American goal in occupying Japan was to transform the nation from a militaristic, authoritarian state to a democratic one, the venture can be judged successful. Japan's postwar record in democratic education is good, if imperfect. Japan faces problems of bureaucratization and alienation, excessive achievement pressures on students, and…

Proposes a framework for the practice of democratic decision making by teachers with their students, a framework developed through practice in educational institutions at all levels as well as in the community. The paper presents steps to take in moving toward the democratic ideal in a teacher-with-student class. (SM)

Reports on a study of the political attitudes and views toward elections among 140 Nigerian secondary students. Argues that, if schools are to play a significant role in Nigeria, it is essential for social studies educators to try to improve the current orientation of students toward elections. (CFR)

Reports on a staff development project for in-service teachers from former East German states. Describes the project's background, previous in-service teacher education, and the project's organization. Concludes that economic difficulties and the rise of neo-Nazism makes it imperative for German teachers to develop democratic values. (CFR)

In critiquing the Sandia Report, Lawrence Stedman faulted it and other revisionist reports for emphasizing trend data rather than quality and not acknowledging educational requirements within a democratic society. The article addresses the issues, presenting evidence from additional studies to argue that none of Stedman's general contentions…

Contends that a public education similar to that proposed by Emile Durkheim is a condition for a flourishing liberal society. Maintains that Durkheim merged standard liberal and communitarian values by supporting both individual rights and the common good. (CFR)