How Billionaires Created a Culture War to Sell School Vouchers w/ Josh Cowen (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

In this episode, Brad Onishi interviews Dr. Joshua Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University, on the controversial issue of school vouchers in the US. 

They discuss the historical context of the voucher movement, tracing it back to economist Milton Friedman and its intersection with the Brown v. Board decision. The dialogue highlights the ideological motivations behind vouchers, linking them to conservative Christian nationalism and libertarian views on government regulation. 

Dr. Cowen offers a critical analysis of recent voucher programs in Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Washington, D.C., presenting evidence of their negative effects on academic outcomes. The conversation also delves into the cultural and political forces driving the voucher agenda, especially during the Trump administration, emphasizing the shift from evidence-based arguments to ideological ones.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/how-billionaires-created-a-culture-war-to-sell-school-vouchers-w-josh-cowen/