# The Origins and Purpose of State Schooling

**URL:** <https://www.libertarianism.org/videos/origins-purpose-state-schooling>

**By** George H. Smith

**Published:** January 15, 1983

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George H. Smith gives a brief summary of the history and political purposes behind state education.

George H. Smith was formerly Senior Research Fellow for the Institute for Humane Studies, a lecturer on American History for Cato Summer Seminars, and Executive Editor of Knowledge Products. Smith's fourth book, _The System of Liberty_, was recently published by Cambridge University Press.

In this lecture from a California Libertarian Party event in 1983, Smith talks about the origins and political purpose of state schooling (commonly referred to as "public" education).