Differentiation Theory and Externalization in Comparative and International Education: Understanding the Intersections of the global and the local

Parreira do Amaral, M.; Erfurth, M.

Abstract

The chapter will provide a succinct introduction to Differentiation theory and Externalization and offer an overview of its application in CIE, but more importantly also trace its disciplinary and theoretical origins and expound some key analytical distinctions. The chapter begins with some conceptual considerations about systemic thinking and differentiation, thus linking older versions of Systems Theory and Differentiation Theory. Second, it introduces Differentiation Theory and Externalization and elaborates on key conceptual distinctions, highlighting central analytical contributions, thereby distinguishing these theories from competing approaches. In a third section, their application to comparative and international research in education is reviewed to provide a concise account of central adaptations and contributions, drawing attention to their relevance for current research in the field. The chapter concludes with a brief discussion of ongoing debates and critiques and a mini case study illustrating their application to CIE scholarship.