This paper begins with the theme that because education is so important to the exercise of one's fundamental rights and to personal, social, cultural, political, economic, and human development, it is one of the unenumerated rights retained by the American people through Amendment IX of the Bill of Rights. After arguing for the proposition that education is a right, the paper examines how Reagan administration policies undermine education through budget cuts for domestic human services and resource programs, neofederalism, block grants, and expanded support for the military establishment. Finally, economic growth and social and political development are discussed in relation to education; the focus here is upon education as an essential element in human capital development and in the preservation and enhancement of a democratic polity. The overall thesis of this work is that public support for human services and investment, particularly education, is an indispensable part of any realistic program for economic and social recovery. Appended are (a) a short paper by Mary Carter-Williams, entitled "The Challenge to Equal Opportunity in Higher Education"; (b) excerpts from the "AAUP Legislative News," detailing proposed funding cuts under the Reagan Administration; and (c) an essay regarding higher education's major contribution to the nation's economy. Also attached is a bibliography. (CG)