LLinE Lifelong Learning in Europe

abstract Juha Suoranta

Revolutionary Dialogical Communication in the Age of Corporate Globalization

Juha Suoranta
Professor of Adult Education at the University of Joensuu

Corporate capitalism has become a major player not only in the macro levels of political power play and educational systems, but also in our very intimate and private politics of identity and personal life. It portrays itself as the collective heart of society; not only the source of wealth and well-being, but also the source of dreams and longing. We seem to be living a myth in which business corporations portray themselves as “public servants”, as instruments for a common cause and “common good”. As nation-states begin to shy away from investing in education as a form of civic education for the public interest, and as the role of education is no longer seen as a “guardian” of educational equality and through it social equality, the corporate sector is eager to take its place. There is no easy solution to turn the tide, but is there any? By encouraging the active participation of all the people, regardless of their social status, it is possibly to help them to regain their collective memory and imagination. People’s ability to analyze capitalism’s hydra-headed dimensions should take central place in all initiatives toward critical thinking and collective political action.

The presentation is going to be published in LLinE