The author of this innovative book develops the thesis that educational reform in its current state is incomplete and ill-suited to democratic nations. Maxcy argues that 'decentralization' philosophies could seriously damage schools and children. He advocates a comprehensive 'new school order' to suit the changing features of postmodern culture. Key themes in this text include: poststructuralist versus structuralist assumptions; and order versus chaos in popular reform movements.

Democracy, Chaos and the New School Order should become a landmark in postmodern approaches to education.