The 20th century was marked by the expansion of educational opportunities world-wide. It was the century of education, and the role of the state in the promotion of public education has been decisive. Yet, at the millennium's turn efforts to diminish the role of the state are rapidly changing education, especially in terms of its role in democracy. This comprehensive handbook offers a view of the social context of education, outlining the challenges as well as the advances in public and private education systems. It presents an integrated account of social theory and methodologies, along with applied perspectives on the development of education in many regions of the world, and comparison of key themes such as access, school choice, equity and educational performance.