--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...the establishment of a universal…" description: "\"“...the establishment of a universal system of public education inevitably changed the relations of education to the state. It is this above all else w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b32/christopher-henry-dawson-26418_education_the-establishment-of-a-universal-system_2054525.jpg" --- # ...the establishment of a universal system of public… ![“...the establishment of a universal system of public education inevitably changed the relations of education to the state. It is this above all else which has caused the mind of our society to lose its independence, so that there is no power left outside politics to guide modern civilization, when…” quote by Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b32/christopher-henry-dawson-26418_education_the-establishment-of-a-universal-system_2054525.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b32/christopher-henry-dawson-26418_education_the-establishment-of-a-universal-system_2054525.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b32/christopher-henry-dawson-26418_education_the-establishment-of-a-universal-system_2054525.jpg) > ““...the establishment of a universal system of public education inevitably changed the relations of education to the state. It is this above all else which has caused the mind of our society to lose its independence, so that there is no power left outside politics to guide modern civilization, when the politicians go astray. For in proportion as education becomes controlled by the state, it becomes nationalized, and in extreme cases the servant of a political party.”” [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. State control of education turns learning into a political tool, eroding independent thought and civic guidance. **In simple terms:** State-run schools become political instruments. Key Takeaway Guard educational independence. Themes education politics society independence state control Mood concerned critical thoughtful Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - school curricula design - policy debates - civil society activism - academic freedom advocacy Key Concepts public education nationalization political influence Questions to Reflect On - How can societies balance public education with independent thought? - What safeguards protect education from political misuse? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on state control can stifle creativity and critical thinking. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Political party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-party/) [Public education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-education/) ## Related quotes > [No deliberative body is manifestly less qualified to make decisions about public education than our state Legislature. With a few shining exceptions, most of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-hiaasen/no-deliberative-body-is-manifestly-less-qualified-to-make-decisions/) [Carl Hiaasen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-hiaasen/) > [Our higher education system is controlled by what amounts to a cartel of existing colleges and universities, which use their power over the accreditation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/our-higher-education-system-is-controlled-by-what-amounts-to-a-cartel/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [While boasting of our noble deeds we're careful to conceal the ugly fact that by an iniquitous money system we have nationalized a system…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-greeley/while-boasting-of-our-noble-deeds-we-re-careful-to-conceal-the-ugly/) [Horace Greeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-greeley/) > [“In a country supposedly dedicated to the ideals of market economics, arguably the most important social function of finance – lending for home purchase – had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-wolf/in-a-country-supposedly-dedicated-to-the-ideals-of-market-economics/) [Martin Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-wolf/) > [Nationalized industries are notorious for their inability to operate at a profit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nationalized-industries-are-notorious-for-their-inability-to-operate/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [By modernizing the process of food preservation, Birdseye nationalized and then internationalized food distribution... facilitated urban living and helped to take people away from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-kurlansky/by-modernizing-the-process-of-food-preservation-birdseye-nationalized/) [Mark Kurlansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-kurlansky/) > [“All the light was now coming from the East; and it looked breathtakingly new. In a very short time, everything was nationalized, from banks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teodor-flonta/all-the-light-was-now-coming-from-the-east-and-it-looked/) [Teodor Flonta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teodor-flonta/) > [“Education is not just a qualification. Education is a state of mind. I think that is what is amiss amongst those who are educators,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/education-is-not-just-a-qualification-education-is-a-state-of-mind-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I remain committed to improving education in our state. The best way to fulfill this basic promise is a strong public educational system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bel-edwards/i-remain-committed-to-improving-education-in-our-state-the-best-way/) [John Bel Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bel-edwards/) > [Education is a state-controlled manufactory of echoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-douglas/education-is-a-state-controlled-manufactory-of-echoes/) [Norman Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-douglas/) > [Education is still, in spite of private education, a state matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/education-is-still-in-spite-of-private-education-a-state-matter/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [As a member of the State Board of Education, I have been a part of meetings concerning new standards for our public school system…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-robinson/as-a-member-of-the-state-board-of-education-i-have-been-a-part-of/) [Mark Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-robinson/) > [I find it hard to understand why those who demand Unitary Education by the State do not also demand a Unitary Press by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/i-find-it-hard-to-understand-why-those-who-demand-unitary-education/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [I think Democrats are right. We fight for the American dream, for the environment, for privacy rights, a woman's right to choose, a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-boxer/i-think-democrats-are-right-we-fight-for-the-american-dream-for-the/) [Barbara Boxer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-boxer/) > [ Randi Weingarten, head of the American Federation of Teachers, calls \[Betsy\] DeVos the most ideological, anti-public education nominee since the creation of the U.S.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudio-sanchez/randi-weingarten-head-of-the-american-federation-of-teachers-calls/) [Claudio Sanchez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudio-sanchez/) ## More by Christopher Henry Dawson > [“The events of the last forty years have inflicted such a blow to the self confidence of Western civilization and to the belief in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/the-events-of-the-last-forty-years-have-inflicted-such-a-blow-to-the/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) > [“It is essential to realize that the Christian community in the past was not a pious ideal, but a juridical fact which underlay the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/it-is-essential-to-realize-that-the-christian-community-in-the-past/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) > [“Today everybody admits that something is wrong with the world, and the critics of Christianity are the very people who feel this most. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/today-everybody-admits-that-something-is-wrong-with-the-world-and-the/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) > [“...education has always meant the initiation of the young into the social and spiritual inheritance of the community: in other words, education has meant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/education-has-always-meant-the-initiation-of-the-young-into-the/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) > [“If we are to make the ordinary man aware of the spiritual uity out of which asll the separate activities of our civilization have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/if-we-are-to-make-the-ordinary-man-aware-of-the-spiritual-uity-out-of/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) > [“Democracy bases its appeal on the sacredness of the People – the consecration of Folk; socialism on the sacredness of Labor – the consecration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/democracy-bases-its-appeal-on-the-sacredness-of-the-people-the/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) > [“Whatever may be the cause of this crisis, it is certain that it is a spiritual one, since it represents the failure of civilized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/whatever-may-be-the-cause-of-this-crisis-it-is-certain-that-it-is-a/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) > [“The process of secularisation arises not from the loss of faith but from the loss of social interest in the world of faith. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/the-process-of-secularisation-arises-not-from-the-loss-of-faith-but/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) > [“But its exclusive character and irreconcileable hostility to the religious cults and ceremonies with which the whole social life of the city-state and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/but-its-exclusive-character-and-irreconcileable-hostility-to-the/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) > [“Classical education was only half the old system of European education--below it and above it there was the religious education that was common to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/classical-education-was-only-half-the-old-system-of-european/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) > [“...the more widely we extend the range of education, the more necessary it is to provide some principle of cohesion to counterbalance the centrifugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/the-more-widely-we-extend-the-range-of-education-the-more-necessary/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) > [“When men follow justice the city blooms, the earth bears rich harvests, and children and flocks increase; but for the unjust all nature is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/when-men-follow-justice-the-city-blooms-the-earth-bears-rich-harvests/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) > [“The great fault of modern democracy -- a fault that is common to the capitalist and the socialist -- is that it accepts economic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/the-great-fault-of-modern-democracy-a-fault-that-is-common-to-the/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) > [“Happy is the people that is without history. And thrice is the people without sociology.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/happy-is-the-people-that-is-without-history-and-thrice-is-the-people/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) > [“The obvious difficulty that has prevented the study of European culture becoming a part of the regular curriculum of studies is its vastness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/the-obvious-difficulty-that-has-prevented-the-study-of-european/) [Christopher Henry Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) [Explore all 21 Christopher Henry Dawson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/) ## More Education quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) Ted Martinez > [“In school you are taught to obey and not to think straight for your own good. Otherwise the world would be full of millionaires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/in-school-you-are-taught-to-obey-and-not-to-think-straight-for-your/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [There's no authoritarian structure at Reed College, but the education is conservative. So what you have is a lot of students who are very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/there-s-no-authoritarian-structure-at-reed-college-but-the-education/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [“What's the best thing about being in college? Good teachers. They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/what-s-the-best-thing-about-being-in-college-good-teachers-they/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“If one has not a head of steel it will burst; if he has not within it a brain of liquid quicksilver, he will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ioannes-amos-commenius/if-one-has-not-a-head-of-steel-it-will-burst-if-he-has-not-within-it/) Ioannes Amos Commenius > [“let us not teach / what we have learned badly / and not profited by”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-hilda-doolittle/let-us-not-teach-what-we-have-learned-badly-and-not-profited-by/) H.D. (Hilda Doolittle > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [According to Plato, we don't learn anything. Our soul has lived so many lives that we know everything. Teachers and education can only remind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/according-to-plato-we-don-t-learn-anything-our-soul-has-lived-so-many/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“I only began to enjoy studying after I got through the educational system and became a so-called member of society. If something interested me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-only-began-to-enjoy-studying-after-i-got-through-the-educational/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you had made the acquiring of ignorance the study of your life, you could not have graduated with higher honor than you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-you-had-made-the-acquiring-of-ignorance-the-study-of-your-life-you/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/) [Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/) > [English teachers tend to put more thought in the books than the author did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/english-teachers-tend-to-put-more-thought-in-the-books-than-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When will society, like a mother, take care of all her children?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/when-will-society-like-a-mother-take-care-of-all-her-children/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) [Browse all 37,666 Education quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“...the establishment of a universal system of public education inevitably changed the relations of education to the state. It is this above all else which has caused the mind of our society to lose its independence, so that there is no power left outside politics to guide modern civilization, when the politicians go astray. For in proportion as education becomes controlled by the state, it becomes nationalized, and in extreme cases the servant of a political party.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Christopher Henry Dawson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/the-establishment-of-a-universal-system-of-public-education/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Education" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/the-establishment-of-a-universal-system-of-public-education/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b32/christopher-henry-dawson-26418_education_the-establishment-of-a-universal-system_2054525.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b32/christopher-henry-dawson-26418_education_the-establishment-of-a-universal-system_2054525.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b32/christopher-henry-dawson-26418_education_the-establishment-of-a-universal-system_2054525.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“...the establishment of a universal system of public education inevitably changed the relations of education…” — Christopher Henry Dawson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Christopher Henry Dawson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-henry-dawson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“...the establishment of a universal system...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/the-establishment-of-a-universal-system-of-public-education/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-henry-dawson/the-establishment-of-a-universal-system-of-public-education/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```