Individually, none of these traditions became dominant, but collectively, they reined in hemispherism for the past 200 years. Education reforms are politically difficult for at least three reasons. Nonetheless, a review of cases from the developing world suggests that these political obstacles can be overcome. In fact, this paper argues that the hypothesis that education reform implementation is impossible is one of at least ten widely held views about the politics of education reform that is contradicted by the experience of certain cases in the last two decades. These contradicted hypotheses appear in Chart 1.
True Reform is impossible.
Maximizing inclusion of stakeholders is always conducive to education reform. Disseminating information is a sufficient antidote against resistance to reform. Teachers' union opposition constitutes an insurmountable obstacle. Ruling-party affiliation ensures the cooperation of teachers' unions. Teachers' unions are the most formidable reform enemies.