Quasi-rynek edukacyjny

The text presents positions with reference to the issue of privatization of education. The aim of this review of literature is to show the specificity and changeability of the phenomenon of the quasi-market in the international perspective. It is also a purpose of the text to present the reasoning of supporters and opponents of market solution implementation strategies. The article introduces the Polish reader to theories, issues, and positions discussed in the western humanities filling the apparent gap in the Polish literature. The text contains an analysis of current articles and books taking up issues of privatization of the education. At the same time, it attempts to systematize issues connected with the quasimarket. A new perspective is based on the effort to settle analogous changes (taking place in the Polish educational system) in the wider context of globalization processes influencing the shape of education. One of the conclusions is that the Polish educational reform was, among others, aimed at implementing market mechanisms into the domain of education. In spite of its obvious imitative character, its authors managed, at least partially, to carry out postulates of privatization of education. On the other hand, the assessment of these transformations cannot be completely unambiguous. In order to judge this phenomenon, one should take into consideration its non-economic consequences, e.g. segregation and enlargement of social inequalities.