Exam 6: The Politics of School Finance

Politics in America is imbued with racial considerations.

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United was based on a political situation and would have no effect on public school financing.

The heart of politics calibrates the balance of power between the authority of the sovereign and the liberty of the people.

What is the "politics of education"? What are its many facets and pertinent aspects for public school financing?

A pendulum effect between conservative self-interest versus the public common interest is the basis for most political discourse.

Women's pay is a central issue of equality in the United States, and school district teacher compensation is subject to the Equal Pay Act. In that regard, please discuss the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act as signed by President Obama in 2009.

What is the "politics of exclusion?" How could it effect the adequacy of school funding?

A public good is defined as goods with non-excludable benefits and non-rival consumption.

One major reason people move out to the suburbs is to buy their own government.

Without the commonwealth of government there is no peace and safety.

The educational power structure is largely confined to teacher unions.

How does this concept of "political exclusion" affect the core city school funding relative to suburban school districts?

Politics itself is not value free.

School financing is largely dependent on the political positions of big business.

Elected school boards are an example of Republican government.

Adam Smith, the great economist, and author of The Wealth of Nations, laid down the maxim that the richer the church, the poorer the state, or the people.

In order to have liberty the individual must "unite" with the "multitudes" in a commonwealth.

Is the U.S. Supreme Court a big corporation court? Is there a philosophy of the court that mitigates against teacher compensation and organizations?

A system of political stability is likely to advance equal funding of schools.