Education is Not a Commodity – It is a Human Right

Authors

Barbara Stark

Abstract

America has embraced neoliberalism, and virtually everything that is tangible—and much that is not—has been commodified. Natural resources once thought of as ‘free,’ such as water, have been packaged and branded. ‘Value’ is routinely conflated with ‘cost.’ This article explains why education should not be regarded as a commodity, but as an internationally recognized human right. Like the right to free speech, it should be free and meaningful. It should be a national priority. The United States does not recognize education as a human right. If it did, public education in this country would probably be in better shape. Equally important, because the right to education includes education about human rights, Americans would probably have a better understanding of their own human rights.

Recommended Citation

Barbara Stark, Education Is Not a Commodity - It Is a Human Right, 53 Denv. J. Int'l L. & Pol'y 377 (Spring 2025).