Ongoing Directions in Global Studies in Education Policy: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed

Abstract

This chapter systematizes different theories about the globalization–education policy nexus and identifies different ways that globalization affects education policy change, including subtle forms of influence and the role of international organizations. The chapter also explores the implications of territorial interdependence and connectedness for education policy—reflecting on but going beyond the policy convergence thesis, and exploring the mechanisms of variation. To this end, the authors map different schools of thought concerned with the nature and outcomes of external influences on education policy. In so doing, they show that global studies in education policy (GSEP) have expanded from a focus on policy diffusion, mainly based on horizontal relations, to the study of a richer, multi-scalar reality. By putting education policy research in dialogue with the broader literature on global governance, policy sociology, and comparative policy analysis, the chapter supports theoretical, methodological, and disciplinary cross-fertilization within GSEP.

Keywords: policy transfer; policy diffusion; policy convergence; policy movement; policy translation; recontextualization; multi-scalar; international organizations; global studies; comparative education; global Governance