Abstract. The article examines the current debate about the role and value of competition in
general education from the perspective of metatheoretical analysis. It has been established
that supporters of the development of competitive relations in general education systems consider competition as an effective mechanism for increasing the efficiency of educational organisations. In this case, ideas are inherited along the line: A. Smith, T. Malthus, C. Darwin, M. Freeman. In turn, opponents of the development of competitive relations in general education systems oppose the concept of “competition” with the concept of “social capital” (P. Bourdieu), largely inheriting the ideas of P. Kropotkin.
Keywords: philosophy of education, school philosophy, competition, social capital, effective-
ness of educational organisations
