Social Justice, Transformation and Knowledge

The neo-Marxist analysis provided by Avis points towards the persistent need for critical research at multiple levels to aid in the struggle to achieve the kind of educational and labour market reforms that will move Britain towards a more socially just society. His book will be of interest to students, academics and practitioners who are concerned about changes in both education and the economy in recent decades and who want to articulate an expansive understanding of vocational education within 'a broader anti-capitalist politics' - Alison Taylor, Journal of Vocational Education & Training This book, which takes social justice as its analytic lens, makes an important contribution to analyses of the impact of economic and education policy in the neo-liberal context of the early 21st century. More than a simple critique of neo-liberalism, this book outlines the ways in which different ideological positions, whilst advocating different forms of localism, buy in to concepts of competitiveness, globalisation and the market, arguing that through this buy in, irrespective of their articulated ideological position, all political parties are responsible for the perpetuation of inequality, and all contribute to the (re)production of class and labour. - Liz Atkins, Paul Warmington and Vicky Duckworth, Journal for Critical Education Policy Studies Education research is ingenious however in pandering to government requirements and James's book details the various theories advanced by academics to square the circle of developing 'skills' training in constricted circumstances. - Patrick Ainley, Post-16 Educator