The Political Function of Education in Deeply Divided Countries

Education is often at the heart of ethnic conflict. It is crucial not only for defining the status of individuals, but also that of ethnic, language and religious groups. Because many people, while prepared to accept disadvantages for themselves, want a better life for their children, conflicts over education are often bitterer than conflicts over property and income. Modern educational systems are designed to allocate opportunities in life on the basis of learning achievement, not on ethnic hierarchies. It is for this reason that systematic inequality of educational opportunity inevitably results in open conflict. Educational conflicts in eight African, Asian and European countries are analysed as well as South Africa’s and Malaysia’s attempts at reducing educational imbalances. Cases of successful conflict regulation in India, Switzerland and Canada are explored. Quantitative analyses show the importance of education for shaping democratic attitudes and the significance of educational spending for social stability. Finally, the impact of various types of educational systems in promoting and reducing conflict in divided societies is assessed.