A Guided Democracy For Children? A Case Study Of Summerhill School, Suffolk, England
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Abstract
This study explores Summerhill School in Suffolk, England, established by A.S. Neill in 1921. It examines the characteristics defining the school as a democratic institution. Interviews with school staff, students, and visitors reveal the application of democracy in non-academic activities. Participants shared experiences related to decision-making, law creation, and equality, highlighting democratic challenges. The data suggest that Summerhill's democratic practices resemble guided democracy models, as seen in Sukarno's guided democracy in Indonesia and B.F. Skinner's Walden Two. This study employs various interview methods, with serial interviews serving as the primary tools for collecting data and identifying key themes.
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