A.04. Education and the Global Right: Hegemony, Policy, and the Post-Liberal Order

This panel investigates the strategic centrality of education within the political agendas of the contemporary global Right (Giudici et al., 2025). It examines the nexus between educational policies and the varying manifestations of right-wing politics – spanning from sovereignism and populism to illiberalism and authoritarianism – by addressing both discursive construction and policy implementation.

Specifically, the panel analyzes how these forces mobilize education as a core component of a dual strategy: first, to fuel “culture wars” (Tebaldi 2025); and second, to assert an alternative cultural hegemony aimed at dismantling the liberal-progressive paradigm.

We welcome theoretical and empirical contributions, particularly international case studies or comparative analyses. The objective is to unpack how global right-wing actors integrate education into their ideological frameworks to drive consensus-building and shape governance. Ultimately, the panel invites critical reflection on how these narratives and policies structurally challenge a fundamental democratic pillar: the autonomy of educational institutions (Giroux, 2015).