This thesis seeks to define liberation theology, its evolution and its relevance in economically advanced and poor or emerging societies The focus is on Paulo Freire, the lay theologian, whose Pedagogy of the Oppressed, outlines the quest for conscienticao or critical consciousness through transformational education Freire, once considered a radical, developed a rapid method of teaching both literary and critical thinking skills to the poor and oppressed people of his native Brazil. His dialogical method, called co-intentional education, provides the skills needed for participation in destiny and in the democratic process unlike banking education that indoctrinates to continue the 'culture of silence' thus avoiding change, power sharing or threats to the prevailing cultural elite Also discussed are the anti-dialogic actions Freire warns about that prevent conscientization or transformation and are prevalent in developed and modern societies as well as poor and emerging ones
