Final answer:
Richard Hoggart views the educational system negatively, criticizing a universal approach and pointing to the need for substantial reforms to address individual and societal needs amid economic and cultural changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Richard Hoggart's perspective on the educational system, as expressed in his book "The Way We Live Now", is far more negative than positive. Hoggart criticizes the idea that a "one size fits all" approach to education can be effective, indicating that such a system fails to account for individual differences and needs. His view aligns with a growing concern over the educational reforms needed in the face of the contradictions of economic life explored by authors like Samuel Bowles and Herbert Gintis in their own work on education in capitalist societies.
The complexity of America's shifting landscape since 1945 has brought into question the efficacy of established educational norms and the ability of schools to adapt to societal and technological changes. These discussions underscore a tension between traditional educational modalities and the requirements of an evolving economic and cultural environment. The debate includes reflecting on how education must reform to address the diverse needs of students to navigate a world defined by an abundance of information and ever-shifting social realities.