The Case Against Education: Why the Education System Is a Waste of Time and Money

 Bryan Caplan *97 argues that the primary function of education is not to give students skills that they will use in the workplace but to certify their intelligence, work ethic, and conformity — all qualities of a good employee. The Case for Education (Princeton University Press) argues that growing access to education has not culminated in better jobs; instead it’s exacerbated credential inflation, among other things. Caplan posits a solution to remedy the situation: drastic cuts in government education spending.