Is the quest for meritocracy a fool's errand?
The author pulls pulls no punches in taking meritocracy and individualism to task.
The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good?
by Michael J. Sandel
Grade: 90
Initial thoughts: The author makes some strong points backed up by data, on the topics of class division and social mobility, specifically when he writes about “Americans born to poor parents tend to stay poor as adults.”
Listening to Michael Sandel on The Glenn Loury Show intrigued me enough to want to read his book “The Tyranny of Merit,” which makes several provocative, compelling arguments for the current meritocratic system being unjust and harmful to society. Sandel argues that the focus on individual merit—pervasive as it is—has led to a society where those who are successful are seen as deserving, while those who are not are seen as undeserving.
He says this has created a sense of entitlement among the elite and a sense of resentment among the working class. Additionally, he argues that the focus on merit has led to a decline in civic engagement and a loss of a sense of community.
He proposes proposes several reforms to the current system, including:
Rethinking the way we think about success and failure
Investing in education and opportunity for all
Strengthening social safety nets
Promoting civic engagement
Novel ideas worth considering
Before listening to Sandel—the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government at Harvard University—on The Glenn Show, I had never viewed merit through the prism he proposes. And while I don’t agree with all of his points, his belief in creating a more just and equitable society is sure to be granted purchase in many circles.
What I found as his strongest points surrounded the notion of success being the reward for individual merit. He rightly contends that this view ignores the role of luck and privilege in determining success. Additionally, this view, he says, has created a sense of entitlement among the elite and a sense of resentment among the working class.
What’s more, Sandel believes that a focus on merit has eroded “civic engagement and a loss of a sense of community,” adding that when people are focused on their own individual success, they are often less likely to be involved in their communities or to care about the common good.
Finally
What I enjoyed more about the book was the author's willingness to take to task those on the left and right for what he sees as peddling a demoralizing vision to those who cannot rise to the occasion and find success. The elites in both groups judge this as a failure of the individual, he says, when in fact other relevant factors are almost always at play as well.