This chapter explores the theoretical and geographical origins of the neoliberal vision of education, offering a critical discussion of its key conceptual foundations and policy implications. Moving from a global to a European context, it then focuses on the Italian case, reconnecting the analysis to the long-standing pedagogical debate within the political left. In doing so, it briefly examines Marxist and Gramscian perspectives on education, highlighting their relevance in understanding contemporary educational reforms. The chapter ultimately ties these reflections back to the specific policy transformations observed in the Italian context.