Applied Political Neoliberalism to Greek Education throughout the Economic Crisis Era: Social Deregulation in the Policy of Rights

Abstract

The Greek educational legislation throughout 2008-2013 is the focal point of the present study. More specifically, special reference is being made to the political practice tied to the functional liberally-based educational structure while the economic constraints resulting in social inequalities and social classes’ gap are also emphasized. Contrary to the 1981-2008 period, when lower social strata were given opportunities to access higher education, and consequently, improve their social and economic living standards, a new educational setting has emerged due to the economic crisis. This is based on the educational designs and legislative derivatives implemented throughout 2008-2013. As a result of the elaborately communicated vague political discourse, all educational grades have been gradually enfeebled. Furthermore, concentration is placed on the educational legislation emerging from the economic crisis period and the educational policy model underdevelopment is being interpreted based on the analysis of the related legislation tied to: a) school elimination/merging, b) instruction fields’ elimination and c) technical fields’ elimination (e.g. graphic designers, beauticians, plumbers etc.). The specific legislation points at the economic crisis educational policy and the overturning of the previously created opportunities for broader social mobility. Past gains have been torn down due to the economic measures and the subsequent merging resulting in the broadening of lower social strata. This new setting is characterized by limited social mobility and opportunities as well as privileges deprivation that reflect contemporary demands for social and political rights. By analyzing the educational legislation, the pertinent laws are perceived as commands of an economic fetish cancelling the social subjects’ established rights.