This paper investigates the determinants of political support for the privatization of education in the UK. In pledging support, the electorate is assumed to form opinions about the effects of education policies and reforms and then apply cost-benefit calculations, depending on their...

A significant body of literature suggests that enterprises in the public education sector may differ from 'standard production' market firms in important ways. Substantial government involvement is then legitimized. However, this literature often uses withinsector comparisons of school types,...