…another appeal for R-evolution on values via the “software” of ecoliteracy running on the “hardware” of educational structures as both eco-logical and eco-emotional (hope, joy).

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Today, I watched political economist, Professor Richard Murphy’s YouTube question and video titled – What is it about [the political party] Reform?

Do find the video here, and rest assured, as you might imagine, I nodded along largely in agreement with his own ideas on the politics of care. I felt there was a stark omission, however, from his reply to the question, one that I find common to economists and conservationists alike, even on the political “left.”

At the end of the broadcast, Richard asked for viewers’ comments, and I spent some time formulating my reply, though it will no doubt be lost in an ocean of other, more succinct or snap comments. For emphasis, I’m sharing it here on my blog too.

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“I hear what you say, Richard, and I agree with so much. However, I think it’s important to discuss neoliberalism and its impact on our education system (everything is connected/relational).

Also, have you heard of feminist “Ethics of Care,” an established canon (see Gilligan, et al)? Its approach to social/medical/legal problem-solving, etc, is situationally relational rather than adversarial and universal (or utilitarian). This is in contrast to established Western norms imposed by hierarchies of power (predominantly, historically, decisions made by White, continental European men). In my work, amongst other things, I apply the Ethics of Care to the human/Nature nexus.

I attach an interesting press release from NCSR summarising an evidential “driving” connection behind poor “educational” outcomes in areas specifically targeted by Reform, many of which are post-industrial and also reflect your observations about corrosive economic neoliberalism, insecurity, emotion completely overruling rationale (ethics includes both), etc. Educational experience is the primary driver of the UK’s divide on immigration and politics | National Centre for Social Research https://natcen.ac.uk/news/educational-experience-primary-driver-uks-divide-immigration-and-politics

The “education” problem is utterly ignored in most public forums, for several reasons. Maybe most still have faith in the current system. Maybe tackling the soul-destroying juggernaut of a competitive, student/teacher race for academic qualifications seems too big and too slow for change. Maybe it’s a lack of imagination or attention to real alternatives, except for any political case for apprenticeships, work remaining within the neoliberal system. Perhaps it is for fear of accusing Brexit or Reform supporters of lacking “intelligence”, etc, rather than the truth of inequitable starting points or lack of opportunity!

Apply an Ethic of Care to our comprehensive educational system, which has been deliberately hijacked by neoliberalism (individually, as well as ecologically/Earth) along with all other social mechanisms or “multipliers”. Tailor education towards the fullest diversity and inclusivity of our bioregional communities instead of a competitive race to the bottom. Cradle to grave, students, teachers, parents, communities, abilities – remove the structural problem of applying set doctrines across the spectrum of education and replace with bioregional, ecoliterate, local-national interconnected, community/expert hubs of exchange that reach the hearts, heads, and hands of every child, and every adult, to suit need and wellbeing, not capital GDP Growth.

Without acknowledging a problem with this education system, including the false premise that everyone is the same, a disconnect with “joy” and “hope”, and in terms of curricula AND place (buildings/grounds/procurement), the self-interested will continue to exploit its failures and inequities, and living communities (all life) will suffer.

A R-evolution should mean that every person and every community will be able to nurture the values (including care), power, and understanding required for transition (and adaptation), towards a better life for all.

Before anyone suggests it’s too late and we have no time, I have heard that non-sense before, going back at least 35 years. If only this shift had been made 35 years ago… BUT it is NEVER too late. Our historical class system defined “education” towards stasis. Neoliberalism/Westminster centrism took a hammer to any post-war progress almost overnight, finishing it off with league tables, academies, and academic grants tied to neoliberal economic growth. We can explain and offer new, more joyful, therefore attractive, systems of shared knowledge “care”, right now, and communicate immediate, positive social-economic-ecological/climatic consequences, especially at a local level.

Meanwhile, thank you for all you do – vital.”

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