Cultural Capital in the Age of Global Education Examining the Rise of the International Baccalaureate

This study investigates the role of the International Baccalaureate (IB) in the strategies employed by elites to counter the massification of education globally. As education systems transition from elite to mass education, increased accessibility has inadvertently diluted the value of degrees, complicating social mobility for lower classes and hindering elites’ ability to maintain their status. This research analyzes how the IB serves as a strategic response for elites navigating the challenges of credential inflation and the meritocratic ideal of equal opportunity. By examining parental motivations for choosing the IB and its specific functions as discussed in the literature, this study sheds light on how IB programs function as mechanisms for social stratification. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the intersections between education, social class, and globalizing educational frameworks.