Civil society Quote by Dave Eggers
““This was the march of civilization. First there is barbarism, no schools at all, all learning done at home, chaotically if at all. Then there is civil society, democracy, the right to free schooling for every child. Close on the heels of the right to free education is the right to pull these children out of the free schools and put them in private-schools—we have a right to pay for what is provided for free! And this is followed, inevitably and petulantly, by the right to pull them from school altogether, to do it yourself at home, everything coming full circle.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Right to Education,” 2015
Civilization progresses from informal learning to public schooling, then to privatization and homeschooling, illustrating a cyclical shift in educational control and access.
In simple terms: Education moves from home learning to public schools, then to private and home options.
Key Takeaway
Understand how educational choices reflect broader societal values.
Themes
education
civilization
public policy
privatization
homeschooling
social equity
Mood
critical
concerned
hopeful
Type
political
social
educational
When to use this quote
- choosing schools
- advocating for public education
- policy debates
- parental decision‑making
- community organizing
Key Concepts
rights
policy cycles
social stratification
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates families to leave public schools?
- How does each shift affect social mobility?
A Different Perspective
Privatization can increase inequality and limit universal access.
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