Education and the Class Struggle: A Critical Examination of the Liberal Educator's Program for Social Reconstruction, by Zalman Slesinger (HC, spine is loose, $4, which is 1/3 the internet price.)
Slesinger did not lack courage. This doctoral dissertation needed approval from the very people his dissertation attacked. Slesinger even asked one of them, William Kilpatrick, to write the introduction. Amazingly he agreed, and asked the reader to make an honest study of the book's points, because, "This path of obedience to intelligent study is the only reliable road all know. May all have the wisdom to search out and follow this way. Nothing else is safe." (Am I crazy to think no one would now be this generous?)
Slesinger's theories are pure Marxism- The way out of the depression is through "collectivism, economic, political and cultural." Democracy, and legal measures will not solve anything. ("Democratic liberty is the result of the repudiation of democratic methods.") Force, perhaps even violence, will be necessary. Key will be the organization and radicalization of labor, of the unemployed, of farmers, of the middle class, of the intellectuals, and of students and youth. A revolutionary ideology must be developed for them to have faith in, and to follow.
In particular, "the school system must be itself revolutionized... We are now at the crossroads, sharply turning to the right or to the left. We must choose the direction which we are to take. Fascism is to the right and collectivism is to the left... The interests of civilization and of the masses are on the left."
Well, as I said earlier, he was of the Marxist faith. Look for this book in the philosophy section, avail. 2/1.
PS: I sure can't wait to tell my Ohio farming cousins that Marxism is the solution to all their problems!
