Napoleon's ideas about education have been a source of much debate.
He was one of the most successful men of his time, but his ideas were not always popular.
Some of his thoughts about education included the idea that children should learn to read and write in a common language.
This was done in order to unite France under a single nationality.
While other aspects of his philosophy were less popular, his ideas about the importance of education remain a constant theme today.
Common language is a nationalistic tool
Educators and researchers have argued over whether the Common language is a nationalistic tool in education.
The idea is that language helps to reinforce a nation's identity.
A common language is a good way to reduce school divisions and to improve the competence of a nation's population.
However, conservative linguists argue against the idea.
In some countries, a formal language teaching program can weaken the link between languages and identities.
For instance, a child may be encouraged to write in his/her home language rather than the school language.
This may make the child less likely to participate in a human rights movement, and in competition.
On the other hand, there are situations where a bilingual teaching program reinforces the role of the language in identity formation.
There are examples of this in Poland and Slovakia.
Other nationalist movements argue that their nations are being harmed by foreign nations.
This is known as anti-colonial nationalism.
It is often accompanied by the notion of self-determination, and is a key element of the liberation ideology.
Nationalism can be a complex concept.
It can have strong emotions, and may lead to conflict.
Some people believe that a nation's name is a better way to refer to itself than its language.
In the former Yugoslavia, the Serbo-Croatian language was the official language, but the idea of a Common Language was controversial.
Several scholars, including Zeljko Jozic, head of the Croatian Institute of Croatian Language and Linguistics, argued against the idea.
He said that there is no need for such an initiative.
Although there has been some disagreement, the use of a Common Language has remained a key nationalistic tool in education.
For example, a group of linguists from four ex-Yugoslav republics drafted a Declaration on the Common Language in Sarajevo.
Over 200 people from all over the region signed it.
Although the declaration may be an oversimplification, the concept is a good starting point for discussing the relationship between language and identity.
As such, it is worth considering the benefits and limitations of a Common Language.
Pigs provide education to other animals
The animal world of George Orwell's novel Animal Farm has a number of lessons for our own society.
It shows that animals are literate, but have a limited education.
Pigs and other animals use education to manipulate and exploit each other.
Squealer is a propaganda tool for Napoleon.
He uses statistics, words and clever use of language to convince animals that a specific action is the best.
But there are some shortcomings to his argument.
One major flaw is that animals have no idea what constitutes the 'big one'.
They are too stupid to understand the "seven commandments of Animalism." That said, there are some animals that can read, but not all of them.
Pigs have a slight advantage over other animals in the sense that they can get away with things other animals cannot.
These include lying, manipulating other animals and suggesting what they want.
However, this does not mean that pigs are necessarily better at it than other animals.
In fact, some animals have a good education while others have none.
Despite their intelligence, pigs do not do much that is noteworthy.
For example, they do not help other animals to harvest hay or milk.
And they do not have the same ability to recall their past living conditions as other animals.
The animal world of Animal Farm offers many other lessons for us to ponder.
For example, if we want to live a happy, harmonious life, we should be aware of different forms of government.
We should be concerned with how to best serve and protect our fellow creatures.
Another lesson from this novel is that education is important.
In order for animals to thrive, they must receive education.
If we fail to educate them, we are doing them a great disservice.
Education is a powerful weapon, but we must be careful how we use it.
Perhaps the most interesting lesson of Animal Farm is the concept of education inequity.
The elite class has access to tools and knowledge that the masses do not.
This inequity is used to oppress and secure compliance from the masses.
French education is stratified and elitist
The French education system is both elitist and stratified.
Its establishment was established in May 1, 1802, when a decree was issued that reformed the country's educational system.
The grandes ecoles and the lycee are the only places where elite education is available in France.
These institutions draw their students from the wealthiest neighborhoods.
Most of the candidates for these schools come from a select group of elite preparatory schools.
These elite institutions are rooted in the Napoleonic Empire and were created to provide a pathway for the bourgeoisie to rise in aristocratic society.
The lycees had a bursar, eight teachers, and a six-year term of study.
Their curriculum included languages, science, and modern literature.
They also had an academic dean.
In the twelfth century, the Catholic Church became concerned with the level of "liberal" education in some of the schools.
However, the influence of the church continued until the French Revolution.
A large part of the schooling provided was religious in nature.
Teachers were licensed by the Catholic Church, which insisted on their right to license other teachers.
Until the Revolution, schools in Paris were the intellectual center of the nation.
Today, the lycee continues to play an important role in the distribution of social positions.
Many of the most highly qualified graduates in the political and diplomatic fields come from the lycees.
But, they are rarely attended by minority students.
Elite education in France is more examination-based than universal.
Most of the top colleges and universities in the country only accept a small number of students.
This has made it difficult for minorities to access these institutions.
While elites' social consecration is often based on their inherited privilege, families' educational strategies also have a powerful impact.
Some families opt out of the state education system and enroll their children in international schools.
The French elitist education system is marked by a strong social hierarchy and institutional differentiation.
Fine distinctions at each level of schooling allow parents to take a more active role in the selection process.
Napoleon's extravagance helped to maintain the textile industry
In the years following the French Revolution, Napoleon was known to build several structures and monuments to honor the country's military victories.
The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel was built as a large street, intended as a temple for those who had given their lives in war.
Among other things, he was also responsible for creating the Palais des Arts, better known as the Napoleon Museum.
In addition, he also built the Pont d'Austerlitz, which connected Place de la Concorde to the Louvre.
When it opened in 1805, it became the first iron bridge in Paris.
It also included a deck lined with citrus trees and pots.
Eventually, the bridge was converted into a museum and the wing of the Louvre was turned into an art gallery.
As Napoleon's power grew, he began to improve the city's sewers and water supply.
He also improved its banking system, reorganized the Grandes ecoles, and set up public schools.
He also began a campaign to rid France of corruption in government.
After fifty days in power, he started improving relations with the Catholic Church.
But while he did establish a relationship with the church, he did not give the church any authority over the country.