In this open access volume, the editors identify the trajecto-ries and pat-terns displayed by education systems and investigate the causes of change from a global and historical perspective. The contributors argue that the emergence and de-velopment of educa-tion systems can be traced back to inherent national factors, as well as to the interna-tional diffusion of ideas.The research presented in this volume is a wide-ranging analysis and explana-tion of the dynamics of emergence, diffusion, and change in relation to state educa-tion systems. The chapters offer an empirical investigation into whether the global diffusion of West-ern-rational educational content and organizational forms occurs as expected by neoinstitu-tionalist theory, or whether culturally specific developmen-tal paths dominate in different parts of the world.The book will be of interest to students and researchers in various social science disci-plines,including social policy, education, sociology, political science, international relations, organizational the-ory, and economics.

In this open access volume, the editors identify the trajecto­ries and pat­terns displayed by education systems and investigate the causes of change from a global and historical perspective. The contributors argue that the emergence and de­velopment of educa­tion systems can be traced back to inherent national factors, as well as to the interna­tional diffusion of ideas.

1. The Global Development, Diffusion, and Transformation of Education Systems: Transnational Isomorphism and 'Cultural Spheres', Michael Windzio and Kerstin Martens, 2. The Introduction of Compulsory Schooling Around the World: Global Diffusion between Ismorphism and 'Cultural Spheres' Helen Seitzer,  Fabian Besche-Truthe and Michael Windzio.- 3. The Global Trajectories of Compulsory Education: Clustering Sequences of Policy Development, Fabian Besche-Truthe.- 4. Does Globalization Affect the Performance of Secondary Education Systems? A Co-evolution Model of Multiplex Transnational Networks and Educational Performance, Helen Seitzer and Michael Windzio.- 5. International Organisations in Education: New Takes on Old Paradigms, Dennis Niemann.- 6. Finding the Poster Child: Reference Patterns in OECD Country Reports, Helen Seitzer.- 7. International Organizations and Education in the Islamic World, David Krogmann.- 8. Regional Ideas in International Education Organizations: The Case of SEAMO, David Krogmann.- 9. Talking About Education: How Topics Vary Between International Organizations Michael Windzio and Raphael Heiberger.- 10. Education as Cultural Frame, John W. Meyer.- 11. Isomorphism, 'Cultural Spheres' and Education Systems: A Brief Summary and Concluding Remarks,  Michael Windzio and Kerstin Martens.