Janet speaks with Alan Elrod to explore how classical liberalism understands the role of children in a free society. They discuss the liberal view of children as future autonomous individuals, the responsibilities of both parents and the state in their development, and how education sits at the center of ongoing ideological battles. Elrod unpacks the liberal commitment to individual flourishing and critiques contemporary efforts to politicize childhood through authoritarian or illiberal frameworks. 

References

“Children Are the Future: Authoritarianism, Culture War and Making Model Citizens” by Alan Elrod

“Parents, Government and Children: Authority over Education in the Liberal Pluralist State” by William A. Galston (Chapter in Liberal Pluralism)

The Open Society and Its Enemies by Karl Popper

Democratic Education by Amy Gutmann

On Liberty by John Stuart Mill

Taking Responsibility for Children edited by Samantha Brennan and Robert Noggle

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