The Paradoxes of Democratic Identity in Education

The book explores the tension between compulsory schooling and the concept of educating children for freedom. It draws on Rousseau's ideas about the balance of freedom and equality within the social contract, emphasizing the need for justice over instinct. Renaut's critique highlights the necessity of autonomy for children, arguing that their exclusion from adult concerns can lead to a form of tyranny. The text suggests that true education should foster both intelligence and originality, allowing children to transcend societal limitations.