Choice Review

Winch rightfully points out that vocational education has been largely ignored in the philosophy of education literature. He addresses this ideological void by presenting an interesting analysis of British vocational education, encasing his discussion primarily from the perspective of economic theory rather than educational theory. He draws heavily on the writing of 19th-century economist Friedrich List and suggests that strengthening vocational education should be considered a way to maximize a society's productive powers. In an innovative conceptual link, Winch presents social capital as an important and necessary intervening variable in building a nation's productive powers. He explores the isolation and low status of vocational education and effectively makes an intricate argument for better integrating traditional liberal arts education and vocational education. The clarity of the ideas of the book is obscured by a dense, convoluted writing style. Long, detailed analyses of theories and terms are sometimes tedious. An American reader will have trouble following the many references to the British educational system. Nonetheless, Winch discusses some new ideas and perspectives on the role, purpose and function of vocational education that transcend national boundaries. Graduate students and above. N. E. Sacks SUNY at Stony Brook