ABSTRACT

The regularity with which political thinkers throughout history have written on education is striking but should not be surprising. Whilst political theory is concerned with the roles in government of adults (sometimes rulers, sometimes subjects, sometimes citizens), many theorists tum to education to prepare the next generation to succeed to those parts. Education might be aimed at rulers (Machiavelli), their child heirs (Erasmus) or their court (Castiglione). Alternatively, those to be educated might be the subjects of absolute rulers (Hobbes) or of a mixed government (Locke). The re-emergence of republicanism and representative government called for an education of 'citizens', many of whom might have received little education of any sort (Rousseau, James Mill, John Stuart Mill).