Dark Money and the Politics of School Privatization

This book goes deep behind the scenes of school privatization campaigns to expose the complex networks of funding that sustain these efforts - often hidden from the view of the public. Using the example of a 2016 Massachusetts charter school referendum, Cunningham shows how wealthy individuals support charter school expansion through so-called social welfare organizations, thereby obscuring the true sources of funding while influencing major public policy votes. With vast wealth and a political agenda, foundations have helped to reshape the reform landscape in urban education.

Illuminates the role of dark money in the expansion of education reform efforts Reveals the inner workings of non-profit organizations aiming to influence ballot initiatives Written accessibly to appeal to a wide range of readers, including researchers and policymakers

Autorentext

Maurice T. Cunningham was Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA from 1999 through 2021. He is a co-founder of the popular MassPoliticsProfs.org blog. He has received awards for his work on dark money from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

Inhalt

1. Introduction: Deceiving Democracy.- 2. The Campaign of 2016.- 3. Boardroom Progressives or Rich People's Movement?.- 4. Secret Funders: Oligarchs United.- 5. Political Fronts.- 6. Upstream Money and Downstream Money: The Hidden Flow of Funds.- 7. Democrats for Education Reform and the Inside Job.- 8. Racial Perceptions, Racial Realities.- 9. After 2016: Money Never Sleeps.- 10. Conclusion: Defeating Dark Money in School PrivatizationAnd Everywhere Else.