ABSTRACT
The universal right to education is one of the most significant achievements resulting from the modernization of societies. Access to education and the right to learn are necessary for the talent development of people and the well-being of societies. The access to education is seen as a key factor in the realization of civil and political rights. The establishment of the University was an important milestone in the development of education in Portugal, which followed the general education movement in Europe in the thirteenth century. The phenomenon of the democratization of higher education has prompted us to think about the differentiation of Portuguese society which is evident in two distinct poles. Younger populations have a higher level of education, while the adult population, already in the labor market, has low educational qualifications. This chapter constitutes a contribution to reflection on and implementation of what is meant by democratization in higher education and by a real democratic society.
