Education is in itself a fundamental human right. As an important determinant of economic growth and human development, education also constitutes an indispensable means of realizing other human rights, particularly rights associated with employment and social security. With the unleashed force of globalization sweeping all aspects of social and economic life, national governments throughout the world increasingly understand the strategic importance of education in enhancing and maintaining international competitiveness, and its crucial role in developing economic and social viability on the long run. On the other hand, the convergent impacts of globalization also bring new impetus for cross-boarder education, and affect the shape and mode of the operation of national education systems more influentially than ever. Over the last two decades trade in cross-border education has been increasing steadily in all forms: not only the numbers of students enrolled in educational institutions outside their home country has been rapidly increasing, but also more and more education providers operate abroad, providing their educational services to foreign students who remain at home. Accelerated development of the new information and communication technologies also facilitate cross-border education and encourage new forms of educational internationalization. According to the statistics from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), export revenue related to international student mobility amounted to an estimated minimum of US$30 billion in 1998, or 3% of global services exports (OECD, 2004a).
With the rapid growth of trade in education, a number of bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements and regulations have incorporated provisions on trade and investment in educational services, which all together make up the legal and institutional framework shaping and regulating the liberalization of trade in educational services. Among all the relevant agreements and regulations driving the liberalization process, the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) under the World Trade Organization (WTO) regime provides the first multilateral framework for international trade and investment in services, including educational services.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I Introduction
- II Institutional Frameworks and Contexts
- 2.1 Norms and standards of Human Rights most relevant to Liberalization of Trade in Educational Services
- 2.2 Liberalization of Trade in Educational Services
- 2.2.1 Trade in Services and Trade in Educational Services in Particular
- 2.2.2 The framework of GATS in WTO regime
- III Theoretical Framework
- 3.1 Trade and Welfare
- 3.1.1 Gains of Free Trade
- 3.1.2 Distributional Effect and Overall Welfare
- 3.1.3 Protection and Loss of Welfare
- 3.2 Market Failure and Government Intervention
- 3.2.1 Market Failure Argument
- 3.2.2 Theory of the Second Best and Principle of Targeting
- 3.3 Public Goods, Externalities and Education
- 3.3.1 Definition and Characteristics of Public Goods
- 3.3.2 Is Education a Public Good?
- 3.3.3 Financing and Provision of Public Goods: the Case of Education
- 3.4 A Summary of the Theory Section
- IV Does Liberalization of Trade in Educational Services Promote or Threaten the Right to Education?
- 4.1.1 About the availability and accessibility
- 4.1.2 About State Accountability
- 4.1.3 About the Equity
- 4.1.4 About the Quality
- 4.1.5 About Long-term Economic, Social and Cultural Impacts
- 4.2 Country Case study: Examining the Impact of Liberalization in Trade of Educational Service on the Right to Education in China
- 4.2.1 China's Education System and Problems
- 4.2.2 International Trade in Educational Service in China
- 4.2.3 Challenges and Opportunities
- V Summary and Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This master's thesis examines the impact of the liberalization of trade in educational services on the right to education. The study aims to analyze the theoretical framework of trade and welfare, considering market failures and the specific characteristics of education as a public good. Furthermore, it investigates the practical implications of trade liberalization on the right to education, focusing on aspects such as accessibility, equity, quality, and long-term societal impacts.
- The theoretical relationship between trade liberalization and welfare.
- The unique characteristics of education as a public good and its implications for trade policies.
- The impact of trade liberalization on the accessibility, equity, and quality of education.
- The role of state accountability in ensuring the right to education in a globalized context.
- A case study of China, examining the effects of trade liberalization on its education system.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
II Institutional Frameworks and Contexts: This chapter establishes the legal and regulatory background for the thesis. It examines international human rights norms related to education and delves into the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) within the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework. The chapter analyzes the coverage, exemptions, and modes of supply under GATS, setting the stage for analyzing the potential conflicts and synergies between trade liberalization and the right to education.
III Theoretical Framework: This chapter lays out the core theoretical underpinnings of the thesis. It explores the theory of trade and welfare, examining the potential gains from free trade while acknowledging the distributional effects and potential welfare losses. It also addresses market failures and the rationale for government intervention in education, emphasizing the unique characteristics of education as a public good with externalities. The chapter discusses the challenges in balancing market efficiency with social goals in education.
IV Does Liberalization of Trade in Educational Services Promote or Threaten the Right to Education?: This chapter forms the core argument of the thesis. It examines the effects of trade liberalization on the right to education across various dimensions, including availability and accessibility, state accountability, equity, quality, and long-term societal impacts. The chapter critically assesses the potential benefits and drawbacks of liberalizing trade in educational services, using theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence to draw conclusions about the impact on individuals and society as a whole. A detailed case study of China's experience provides concrete examples.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Liberalization of trade in educational services, right to education, GATS, WTO, human rights, public goods, market failure, equity, quality, accessibility, state accountability, China, case study, welfare, trade and development.
Frequently Asked Questions: Impact of Liberalization of Trade in Educational Services on the Right to Education
What is the main topic of this document?
This document is a comprehensive preview of a master's thesis examining the impact of liberalizing trade in educational services on the right to education. It analyzes the theoretical framework of trade and welfare, considers market failures, and investigates the practical implications of trade liberalization on various aspects of education, including accessibility, equity, quality, and long-term societal impacts. A case study on China is included.
What are the key themes explored in this thesis?
The key themes include the theoretical relationship between trade liberalization and welfare; the unique characteristics of education as a public good and its implications for trade policies; the impact of trade liberalization on accessibility, equity, and quality of education; the role of state accountability in ensuring the right to education in a globalized context; and a case study of China's experience with trade liberalization in education.
What is the structure of the thesis?
The thesis is structured into five chapters: Chapter I (Introduction), Chapter II (Institutional Frameworks and Contexts), Chapter III (Theoretical Framework), Chapter IV (Does Liberalization of Trade in Educational Services Promote or Threaten the Right to Education?), and Chapter V (Summary and Conclusion). Chapter II establishes the legal and regulatory background. Chapter III lays out the theoretical underpinnings, including trade and welfare theory, market failures, and the public good nature of education. Chapter IV forms the core argument, examining the effects of trade liberalization on various aspects of the right to education and including a detailed case study of China. Chapter V summarizes the findings and conclusions.
What theoretical frameworks are used in this thesis?
The thesis utilizes the theory of trade and welfare, examining the potential gains from free trade and the distributional effects. It also addresses market failures, the theory of the second best, and the principle of targeting. The unique characteristics of education as a public good with externalities are central to the analysis.
What is the significance of the case study on China?
The case study on China provides a concrete example of the impact of trade liberalization in educational services on a specific country's education system. It examines China's education system, the country's involvement in international trade in educational services, and the associated challenges and opportunities.
What aspects of the right to education are examined in relation to trade liberalization?
The thesis examines the impact of trade liberalization on several key aspects of the right to education: availability and accessibility, state accountability, equity, quality, and long-term economic, social, and cultural impacts.
What international agreements or organizations are relevant to this study?
The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) within the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework plays a crucial role in the analysis, along with relevant international human rights norms related to education.
What are the key conclusions or arguments of this thesis (as previewed)?
The preview does not explicitly state conclusions but sets the stage for an analysis of whether liberalization of trade in educational services promotes or threatens the right to education. The core argument examines this question through multiple lenses, considering theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence, particularly the Chinese case study. The concluding chapter will presumably synthesize these findings.
What are the keywords associated with this thesis?
Keywords include: Liberalization of trade in educational services, right to education, GATS, WTO, human rights, public goods, market failure, equity, quality, accessibility, state accountability, China, case study, welfare, trade and development.
- Quote paper
- Li Zhou (Author), 2006, Liberalization of trade in educational service and its impact on the right to education, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/79643
