Among the objectives that Chapter 2 seeks to achieve are these:
This chapter should deepen and extend readers' understanding of the key terms of inquiry, particularly the triad of political economy, ideology, and schooling, by presenting them in a particular historical context. In particular, readers should be able to talk and write about the relationships among various dimensions of political economy, ideology, and the nature of schooling in the early republic, as identified by the analytic framework.
Readers should begin to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of classical liberalism, noting its potential for the realization of democratic ideals but also noting its limitations in terms of population groups excluded because of race, gender, and economic class.
Readers should be able to understand Jefferson's rationale for his educational proposals as it relates to the political economy and ideology of that time.
Readers should begin to entertain and evaluate alternative views of democracy: that it can be construed as a system of representative government, but also as an ideal of human interaction in which all individuals are expected to share in making the decisions that affect their lives. Further, readers should begin thinking about the implications that each view of democracy might have for educational practices.
This chapter raises questions about whether there might be a potential for conflict between ideals of meritocracy and ideals of democracy, particularly if the definition of "merit" is derived from a segment of the population that is not representative of the entire population.
Readers should critically and appreciatively think about Jefferson's proposals for who should fund and control public schooling in Virginia, comparing those ideas with their knowledge of how schooling is funded and controlled today.
Finally, this chapter is intended to equip readers with an increased ability to interpret the many issues presented in two primary source readings; one by an ex-slave and one by a prominent Classical Liberal physician.
