Episode #205 - Why a meritocracy is corrosive to society. (Michael Sandel)
Episode #205 - Why a meritocracy is corrosive to society. (Michael Sandel)
This episode explores Michael Sandel’s critique of meritocracy—the idea that success should go to the most talented and hardworking people. While this sounds fair, Sandel argues that it often leads to unintended consequences. Many people who succeed believe they fully earned it, while those who struggle are seen as personally to blame, even though larger forces like history, economics, and luck play a major role. This way of thinking, Sandel says, damages social bonds and creates resentment, especially when people feel overlooked despite doing everything society told them to do. He traces the roots of this mindset to old religious debates about salvation and argues that it leads to too much pride and not enough humility. Sandel calls for a shift in how we define value in society, emphasizing dignity for all kinds of work—not just jobs that require college degrees. He believes a healthier democracy requires more respect, civic responsibility, and policies that focus on the common good instead of just rewarding personal achievement.
Further Reading:
The Tyranny of Merit, Michael J. Sandel (2020)
The Meritocracy Trap, Daniel Markovits (2019)
The Tyranny of the Meritocracy, Lani Guinier (2015)
See the full transcript here
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