In this regard, I do not directly examine the conservative perspective. There are several reasons for this. First, I believe that a successful response to the current right-wing offensive in North America first of all necessitates clarity about one's own political stance, and for most adult basic educators, this above all requires greater awareness of the liberal and critical perspectives and the differences between them. Second, many of the central theses of the conservative view--particularly relating to the nature of the dynamics of a capitalist economic system--are shared by liberals and conservatives alike, and so are directly taken up in the analysis of the liberal perspective. Third, those aspects of the conservative perspective which are not considered here--particularly the arguments concerning the alleged genetic and 'moral' deficiencies of the poor-are extensively and effectively dealt with elsewhere by various writers.22

My other attempt to contribute to the strengthening of the political economic basis of the critical perspective is to present a brief critical history of literacy and basic education in Canada. I believe that in many ways the challenges and choices presently facing adult basic educators are not unique; educators have faced similar ones at a number of points in the past, and we can derive lessons and guidance from understanding how they responded to them and from assessing the results of their actions.