Final answer:
Smith believes that families should make education decisions, with government intervention to ensure collective societal educational goals are met. His view combines respect for individual choice with acknowledgment of the role of government in promoting equal education access and quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Smith believes that education decisions should primarily be made by families and the government should intervene only to ensure that society's educational needs are met. This perspective is informed by the belief that while families have the direct interest in the individual success of their children, only a collective approach can address larger societal goals like equal access and quality of education.
Smith's view on who should make decisions about education can be aligned with a more conservative viewpoint, where the emphasis is on individual choice and the role of the market, with a limited role for the government. However, he acknowledges the limitations of this approach, recognizing the necessity for government intervention in instances where private provision is insufficient. Smith's stance reflects a nuanced understanding of the balance between personal liberty in making educational choices and the state's responsibility to ensure broader societal objectives are achieved.