Comparing Policies in a Globalizing World: methodological reflections

Abstract

-Comparing Policies in a GlobalizingWorld: methodological reflections. This paper explores the methodological challenges in comparing education policies in a globalizing world. It will be developed in the following ways. We begin with sketching out the contours of the changes that have taken place in the governance of education systems as a result of global processes and the challenges to presents us with regarding how we study, and compare, education policies. We do this by way of four 'isms' which we problematise as litmusses of global educational change. We then raise the question of comparison, and point to two conflicting ways that it can be used in studying education policy. In the final section of the paper we offer three (not exhaustive) methodological reflections -each with a different dimension through which to explore global education processes -time, space, and logics of governing in education policymaking. Keywords: Comparative Education. Globalisation. Methodology. RESUMO -Comparando Políticas em um Mundo emGlobalização: reflexões metodológicas. Este artigo explora os desafios metodológicos quando políticas educacionais são comparadas em um mundo em globalização. Iniciará pelo esboço dos contornos das transformações que vêm ocorrendo na governança de sistemas educacionais como resultado de processos globais e os desafios enfrentados por nós no que se refere ao modo como estudamos e comparamos políticas educacionais. Fazemos isto por meio de quatro 'ismos' que problematizamos como prova definitiva da mudança educacional global. A seguir, questionamos a comparação e indicamos duas maneiras conflitantes que podem ser usadas ao estudar a política educacional. Na seção final do artigo, oferecemos três reflexões metodológicas (porém não exaustivas), cada uma contendo uma dimensão diferente para explorar os processos educacionais globais -tempo, espaço e lógica de governo em elaboração de política educacional. Palavras-chave: Educação comparada. Globalização. Metodologia.

International Perspectives on School Settings, Education Pollicy and Digital Strategies

“…Education research also remained largely focused on national characteristics and developments, with even comparative and international education scholarship prone to assume an analytic stance recently criticized as 'methodological nationalism' (cf. Robertson/Dale 2017). Also, with the educational debates of the past three decades having concentrated on the relevance and implications of coinages like 'globalization' and 'internationalization' processes for national education systems, education research has in turn focused increasingly on the impact of globalization on the national character of education, implying a diminishing importance and/or ability of the state to control and steer education, formerly a state prerogative (Green 1997;Mitter 2006; cf.…”

International Perspectives on School Settings, Education Policy and Digital Strategies

“…Education research also remained largely focused on national characteristics and developments, with even comparative and international education scholarship prone to assume an analytic stance recently criticized as 'methodological nationalism' (cf. Robertson/Dale 2017). Also, with the educational debates of the past three decades having concentrated on the relevance and implications of coinages like 'globalization' and 'internationalization' processes for national education systems, education research has in turn focused increasingly on the impact of globalization on the national character of education, implying a diminishing importance and/or ability of the state to control and steer education, formerly a state prerogative (Green 1997;Mitter 2006; cf.…”

Education governance and privatization in Portugal: Media coverage on public and private education

“…These developments have had a powerful effect in changing both the pattern and the scale of governance, setting up a globally structured agenda for education (Dale, 2000;2005, pp. 57-59;Robertson & Dale, 2017).…”