Education, Equality, and Meritocracy in a Global Age - The Japanese Approach (Broché)

How has schooling functioned in the construction of meritocratic national systems historically ? To what extent will these historical patterns and normative commitments continue in the new era of a global meritocracy ? And ultimately, how can educators effectively balance the inherent tension between individual merit and standardized quality ? Kariya and Rappleye explore the answers to these questions and more by focusing on the Japanese model, long recognized globally for being one of the most equitable and meritocratic systems in the world.
Looking at the country's educational history and policy shifts, the authors point to the important comparative lessons for sociology and education research. They show how the Japanese experience can inform global approaches to educational reform and policymaking - and how this kind of exploration can reinvigorate a more rigorous discussion of meritocracy, equality, and education.