Bradley Porfilio

The Destructive Path of Neoliberalism: an International Examination of Education Bradley Porfilio

Publisher Marketing: The Destructive Path of Neoliberalism: An International Examination, a compilation of twelve essays by leading scholars and educators, sheds light on the social, political, economic, and historical forces behind the rise of neoliberalism, the dominant ideological doctrine impacting developments in schools and other social contexts across the globe for over thirty years. Several authors provide rich empirical data from schools across the globe to capture how neoliberal imperatives, discourses, and practices are impacting teachers, students, and communities at today's historical juncture. Finally, several contributors have developed pedagogical initiatives, suggest policy considerations, and convey theoretical insights designed to assist us in the struggle against the corporatization of schooling and social life. An International Examination of Urban Education: The Destructive Path of Neo-liberalism, by Bradley Porfilio and Curry Malott, is an important and provocative text, indeed; not only for its careful and eloquent theoretical and analytical examination of neo-liberalism and "globalization" in urban educational contexts -- and the dystopic and globally catastrophic consequences of these instantiations of late-capitalism -- but also because it is what its name implies, an international study of these phenomena (a study and critique by those most immediately and directly effected by the "manifest destiny" of capitalist imperialism). As neo-liberalism appears to be both in continued ascendancy and immanent collapse, Porfilio and Malott's text is a must read for every serious student of education, political science and sociology. --Marc Pruyn, New Mexico State University (co-editor, most recently, with Luis Huerta-Charles of De la Pedagogia Critica a la Pedagogia Revolucionaria: Ensayos para Comprender a Peter McLaren from Siglo XXI Press in Mexico). Contributor Bio:  Malott, Curry Curry Malott is Assistant Professor of childhood education at Brooklyn college, CUNY, and has taught Introduction to Sociology and Social Studies Pedagogy courses at New Mexico State University and Multicultural Education at Oregon State University. He received his Ph. D. in curriculum and instruction from New Mexico State University. Dr. Malott also continues to participate in local skateboarding and music scenes, not only through skateboarding and playing music, but by recording musical artists who skate. As a result, and with the help of a few friends, Dr. Malott has started and is running Punk Army Skateboards and records.