In the current context of intensified moves towards educational deregulation, the configuration of the Italian middle school and its relationship to education governance is an interesting case. Historically, it represents a unique example of the successful "decision-making" model of the welfarist era. Despite some internal constraints,…

Human capital and functionalist paradigms underpin the stance taken by most governments to education policy. These models have also had a profound effect upon the determination of education priorities in the poorest states and, indeed, upon aid policy. This paper argues, on the basis of evidence from the papers in this volume and from the wider…

The purpose of this article is to analyse the nature of the global hegemonies in higher education. While anti-colonial thinkers describe the dominance of the Western paradigm as an oppression of indigenous culture and knowledge and as neo-colonialism in higher education, their arguments lead to such questions as how much self-determination do…

Examines modes of competition for entry to selective Japanese universities using data on graduates from five high schools. Describes four models of selection modes, with "contest mobility" and "tournament mobility" corresponding to myths about U.S. and Japanese selection processes. Connects such myths to different national…

Questions the legitimacy of transferring educational models and materials between countries. Reviews recent trends in educational management development in Western and less developed countries and assesses the cross-cultural transfer of "school-based management self-development." Suggests that indigenization of models may be most appropriate, but…