Educational (Geo)Politics as an Interaction Place in Space or Towards Geo(Philo)Sophy of Education

Abstract

The article discusses educational policy. However, the policy in general and educational policy specifically are viewed through the lens of geographical space and time as well as the philosophy of becoming. The aim is to answer the question which value-based and norm-based substances, structures of power and strain, processes of becoming and transition form (condition) the educational space in Lithuania? In this context, the instruments of educational management acquire the dimension of educational geopolitics. In terms of space, each policy is geopolitics, whereas geopolitics – policy (policy of ideas, strategies and practices) realised in a specific geographical space and location. Regardless of the way of approach to education – as a composite part of culture, economics, politics or as a separate field of public activity – it is always influenced, structured, constructed by the same geographical factors, i.e. place, space and environment. By implementing the educational policy (various strategies and practices), public authorities (entities) construct spatial educational geopolitical identity. The subjects of space, place, geographical scales (from global to local) in relation to and interaction with geopolitical, sociocultural phenomena form the geopolitical and geophilosophical space of education in Lithuania. Geosophy and geophilosophy express mental, spiritual, value-based and cognitive approach of a person and relation to geographical environment, space, its objects, reflect our individual associations with geography and philosophy. As it is claimed in the summary of the research, educational (geo)politics that is based on diverse authentic relations, explication of meanings, excitation of imagination in relation to / interaction with geographical environment creates an essential, sustainable, self-identical space of educational geo(philo)sophy.