Social democratic view of education

Social democracy

The key themes of social democracy are a desire for meritocracy, but recognises that the system as it stands is unable to deliver. Social democrats believe that it is possible to work within the capitalism to create a fairer system, and that the democratic government should work to serve the interests of those who elect them rather than the capitalist class. However they still argue that some inequality of outcome is inevitable and desirable. Halsey argued that the grammar-school system disadvantaged working- class children. The 11+ exam tested middle-class culture and falsely labellled working-class children as less intelligent. Social democrats beleived that the tripartite system should be abolished and replaced by the comprehensive system. They also support the functionalist view that main…