Go West! Conceptual Explorations of “the West” in the History of Education

Hemetsberger, Bernhard; Oberdorf, Andreas

Abstract

The “West” is a central concept in public discourse, but its meaning is often unclear and open to manifold interpretations and ascriptions of belonging and exclusion: Who is part of the “West”? When and where is it located? How did its meaning change over space and time? Who are the mediators of the “West” and what is their interest in terms of culture and education? The “West” is often used without any critical questioning, though. This is also reflected in history of education research, especially with focus on transnational or transatlantic issues. Here, the “West” is a sort of “container” term or “fuzzy” concept that can refer to a variety of historical entanglements and cultural transfers in school systems and education, but also to conflicts and crises, accordingly. This book aims to stimulate a critical reflection and debate on ideas of the “West” in the history of education by gathering scholars from various fields of historical research. With a reflexive historical distance to current political incidents, in which ideas of the “West” are revived, the contributions in this book are intended to enable readers to evaluate representations of the “West” in current academic or public discourses and debates alike.