Education is not the answer

Abstract

Education is often seen as the key instrument to promote social mobility. Yet, sociological research has shown the ambivalent nature of education in social stratification processes. In Social Mobility and Education in Britain (2019), Erzsébet Bukodi and John H. Goldthorpe address some misrepresentations of intergenerational mobility common in the British political debate. The book effectively conveys to a non-specialist readership some of the key insights of mobility research: notably, that, without a significant expansion of the class structure, equality of opportunity is a zero-sum game. However, this article argues that the authors fail to appreciate the subjective understanding of socio-economic progress and the political salience of declining upward mobility. While concurring with the thesis that excessive expectations have been put on educational policy to readdress societal problems, this article additionally warns against the risks of disinvesting in educational policy and undermining the usage of qualifications in human resources management.