Introduction
Finland has proclaimed many essential things for people, such as their legal rights, which have positively influenced people’s perceptions. Thus, the country cares for its citizens and provides them with the best living conditions. Following this example, many actions that are now considered optional in California can be accepted as an inalienable right of citizens. In this regard, considering the pros and cons of such a decision, such as granting the right to access higher education, is worth considering.
Establishment of the Fundamental Right to Higher Education in California
Arguments in Favor
Many positive aspects are present when deciding on free education. One of them is society’s economic, social, and political well-being. Ensuring free university education can help all people succeed in the labor market. It will also contribute to society’s overall development and increase citizens’ success in the areas they are interested in while improving their level of happiness.
Higher education is already a significant part of the state’s infrastructure in California. Many public and private institutions were built to offer citizens educational opportunities. However, to realize the full potential of higher education, all people, without exception, must have access to universities. Universities, in this case, can perform the function of an instrument of individual and social development. However, this requires making access to higher education a fundamental right for Californians.
Education as a Pathway to Economic Mobility
One of the most significant reasons for making higher education a fundamental right is its promotion of economic mobility. This means that the more citizens can get specialized qualifications, the more likely they will get a well-paid job. Many large companies that offer high salaries require higher education degrees upon admission.
This is a serious obstacle for low-income people who cannot afford university studies. They cannot get high-paying positions due to the lack of specialized education. Consequently, such social groups may feel financially insecure, resulting in societal inequality. However, if more citizens complete their studies, then they will be able to earn more money. As a result, this can lead to the fact that they will spend more, so the economic system of the state will develop better.
Empowering Democracy Through Educational Access
Another important argument in favor of establishing a fundamental right to education for all Californians is the element of support for democracy. Well-educated citizens are better equipped to debate political topics and can form more objective opinions about political campaigns. Thus, by providing people with free education, society can better understand politics, which will ultimately lead to the functioning of democracy.
Citizens will be able to understand political affairs better and make informed electoral decisions by knowing what programs can improve their well-being. California can create a more engaged and informed electorate by ensuring that all citizens have the right to a college education. This, in turn, will contribute to the formation of a more flexible and professional government that will rely on the interests of citizens in its decisions.
Arguments Against
The Financial Burden of Making Education a Right
However, despite all the advantages of providing all people with the right to free education, this approach has several disadvantages. One of the main obstacles to implementing such a plan may be the cost of such a reform. Providing citizens with free or subsidized higher education will require significant public investment. Thus, it can drain resources from other vital sectors, such as health care or public safety.
Because of this, the free education initiative could significantly harm other areas of California’s development. In this regard, the development of the state will slow down significantly, which may lead to its performance lagging behind other regions of the country. Given budgetary constraints and competitive pressures, moving the entire higher education sector into a non-funded plan looks like a complex and underachieving initiative.
Barriers to Access Despite the Recognition of Rights
Another reason the initiative should not be accepted is the citizens’ difficulty accessing education. If we proclaim it a fundamental right of everyone, this does not mean that all people will use it. If the same number of people are interested in education as before recognition, the financial system will suffer significant losses. They cannot be replenished because the economy is not mobilizing as expected. In this case, all the costs of reforming and improving the system will be in vain and unnecessary for people.
In addition, some citizens may have physical barriers to achieving an education. These include geographic location, which will prevent many from receiving training. Thus, establishing education as a fundamental right does not mean that everyone will be able to use it, which can be regarded as a violation of rights in this case.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the approval of access to higher education is a complex process that requires a lot of investment and planning. The system will experience significant financial problems if this does not pay off. In addition, there are multiple concerns related to the effectiveness of the introduced law. Not everyone can use it, which means they violate their rights. However, there are also many positive aspects of providing free education to all in California. These include the potential mobilization of the economy and the improvement of the functions of the democratic system.