ABSTRACT
Economic nationalism was reinforced by the forging of common, national cultures. In the 1980s the doctrines of the New Right presented another threat to social consensus. More recently, there has been much discussion of globalisation and the demise of economic nationalism. Tensions and contradictions existed in what was referred to as economic nationalism. Critical theory has cast doubt on much traditional sociology, especially functionalism and positivism, as well as postmodernism. Critical theorists also reject 'pluralism' because it represents an acceptance or accommodation of many of the unjust and irrational features of capitalist society. Social evolution is connected with 'decentring' and separating the three main spheres of existence. Postmodernism logically leaves no room for education in the normal meaning of the word: education implies a planned, purposive rational process, but planning, purpose and rationality have no place in the vision of the more extreme postmodernists.
