ABSTRACT
In the latter part of the 20th century, free schools addressed new concerns about the complexity of modern technology, the growth of urban centers, and the increasing linkage between educational credentials and jobs. Paul Goodman believes that individuals are losing control over their lives as they increasingly depend on complex technology. The reliance on technology, he argues, results in dependency on technical experts. In addition, as population centers become more complex, according to Goodman, it is difficult for people to participate in the political control of their own communities. Goodman concludes that free schools should exist in small, decentralized communities where it is possible for all people to share political control. In addition, he argues, there should be a revolution in the design of technology so that people do not have to depend on experts.
