ABSTRACT
Whether equality becomes a fact of life depends on how it is valued, on whether it is seen as an improving or destructive force within social, cultural and economic relationships. Dave Hill gives an account of how equality in the provision of education is assessed within the competing value systems, or ideologies, advocated from the different political positions across the arena of modern British politics. From Left to Right, the main criteria of social policy for socialism, social democracy; liberal-progressivism and conservatism are broadly defined, so that their influence – discriminatory or egalitarian – can be seen in the background history of education policy in England and Wales from 1880. The discussion then tightens into detailed analysis of political principles and post-war education policy, especially the recent evaluations of equality within radical Left and radical Right-wing agendas. Acknowledging the complex and shifting relationship between ideology and policy making, typified by the fracture of neo-liberal and neo-conservative ideologies within the radical Right, the chapter leads to an incisive assessment of the ideology informing New Labour in government.
