The role of adult education in national campaigns, a social-philosophical inquiry

grantor: University of TorontoThe purpose of this thesis is to explore how adult educators can mobilize citizens across Canada to participate in a national campaign to change the direction of current federal government social policies and halt the erosion of federal government social safety net programs. This thesis also explores the extent to which adult education possesses an appropriate philosophical framework, together with historical experiences, practices and methodologies from which to draw and then adapt, in order to meet contemporary needs. The ideas of Moses Coady and Ned Corbett are presented, as well as the methodology of progressive school philosopher Eduard Lindeman as foundations upon which to proceed with a federally-focused campaign. Certain past adult education campaigns, movements and initiatives are explored to learn which methodologies and practices could be adapted to a current context. Many groups such as the Council of Canadians (COC), the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), the New Democratic Party (NDP), the Ecumenical Council on Social Justice, community-based organizations and associations as well as "think tanks" such as the Caledon Institute of Social Policy contend that social safety net programs, essentially put in place by the federal government following the Second World War, have been dismantled, clawed back, eliminated or downsized over the past several years, fuelled in part by an ideological shift from a Keynesian to a Monetarist approach to economic policy which has had major ramifications for social policy development and delivery. This has had serious consequences for many Canadians who rely on federal government social and health care programs in times of need. In order to provide a contextual background for developing this campaign, thesis chapters also address issues such as what social policy initiatives have historically been built up in Canada, essentially post-Second World War, and what trends are currently occurring that necessitate adult education's potential involvement in such a nationally-oriented campaign. This thesis then identifies key questions and areas that need to be addressed in contemplating and preparing for a national campaign based on adult education philosophies, practices and methodologies, and proposes a prototype framework for the development and operationalization of such a campaign.Ed.D