Draws on data from research on charter schools to question the extent to which "democratic" and "market-based" schools are dichotomous. Makes the case that free-market and deregulatory educational reforms such as charter schools are perceived to be highly democratic by their neoliberal advocates. Suggests that progressive supporters of charter schools and public schools couch their arguments for democratic schooling in terms of social justice and equity, rather than of "liberty." (SLD)