--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This was the march of civilization. First…" description: "\"“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..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fca/dave-eggers-638_civil-society_this-was-the-march-of-civilization-first_3223456.jpg" --- # This was the march of civilization. First there is… ![“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…” quote by Dave Eggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fca/dave-eggers-638_civil-society_this-was-the-march-of-civilization-first_3223456.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fca/dave-eggers-638_civil-society_this-was-the-march-of-civilization-first_3223456.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fca/dave-eggers-638_civil-society_this-was-the-march-of-civilization-first_3223456.jpg) > ““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.”” [Dave Eggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-eggers/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civil society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-society/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Education Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education-right-1317117/) [Free education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-education/) [Free Schooling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-schooling-6069368/) [Free Schools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-schools-738259/) [Full circle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/full-circle/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Schools Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schools-right-3820495/) ## Related quotes > [As for free education, universal medical care and other basic rights: Yes, people have to fight! Of course they have to. Free and good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-vltchek/as-for-free-education-universal-medical-care-and-other-basic-rights/) [Andre Vltchek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-vltchek/) > [“But self-knowledge cannot be imposed, understanding cannot be compelled; and if this is a vital problem to you and me, to the parent and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/but-self-knowledge-cannot-be-imposed-understanding-cannot-be/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [“Free schools were an invention of the Devil or the Yankees, which amounted to practically the same thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvin-s-cobb/free-schools-were-an-invention-of-the-devil-or-the-yankees-which/) [Irvin S. Cobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvin-s-cobb/) > [Encourage free schools and resolve that not one dollar appropriated for their support shall be appropriated to the support of any sectarian schools. 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