ABSTRACT

Every nation’s educational system is the product of its historical, cultural, social, and geographic circumstances. Historically, the principal educational tasks for a nation have been established in accordance with local needs, traditions, and available resources. Unfortunately, the complexity of modern nations no longer allows the simple luxury of a practically focused and parochial education. Although the people of a nation may still value local educational traditions and customs, contemporary nation states wishing to participate in the global economy must find a place for themselves within the international division of labor. Nations wishing to participate in this global market must then adopt economic, educational, political, and social models considered legitimate at the world level.