A Political Economy of Adult Education in Comparative Perspective: A Critique of Mainstream Adult Education Models in Canada, Mexico and Tanzania (original) (raw)

There are two striking features of mainstream adult education models. First, they are based on a conspicuous ideology of liberal individualism—although sometimes at the service of political legitimation and control. Second, for many teachers and policy makers adult education is an area apparently detached from the realm of values and devoid of ideological confrontations. This article reviews evidence from research on adult education and skill upgrading programs inspired by conventional, mainstream adult education in Tanzania, Mexico and the province of Alberta in Canada. Three mainstream adult education models are identified: a therapeutical model in Alberta, a recruitment model in Mexico and a forced modernization model in Tanzania. A central feature of all three models is the lack of a participatory rationale. Resume Il existe deux traits frappants aux modeles courants de l'enseignement des adultes. D'abord, il sont bases sur une ideologic apparente d'individualisme li...