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Review Article Volume 10 Issue 3
Foundations of sociology of education in contemporary contexts: inequality, neoliberalism, and digitalization
Luan Tarlau Balieiro
Received: May 05, 2026 | Published: May 26, 2026
Citation: Balieiro LT. Foundations of sociology of education in contemporary contexts: inequality, neoliberalism, and digitalization. Soc Int J. 2026;10(2):62-64. DOI: 10.15406/sij.2026.10.00458
Abstract
Contemporary societies are marked by profound transformations driven by digitalization, neoliberal governance, and the reconfiguration of social inequalities. In this context, Sociology of Education offers robust theoretical and analytical tools to understand how educational systems both reproduce and challenge social structures. This article aims to review the contributions of Sociology of Education to key contemporary themes, including educational inequalities, digital platformization, neoliberal rationality, and the crisis of democratic institutions. Based on a qualitative bibliographic review, the analysis articulates classical and contemporary theoretical frameworks – especially those of Pierre Bourdieu, Basil Bernstein, and critical sociologists of digital education – to identify how inequalities are reconfigured, how subjectivities are shaped, and how digital infrastructures transform educational governance. The study argues that Sociology of Education remains essential for critically interpreting the intersections between education, power, and social change in the 21st century.
Keywords: sociology of education, inequality, neoliberalism, digital education, platformization
©2026 Balieiro. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.