Episode #205 ... Why a meritocracy is corrosive to society. (Michael Sandel)

Key takeaways

Meritocracy as an ideal fails to achieve true equitable recognition in practice, leading to societal divides.
The pride associated with meritocratic success can create a corrosive environment that humiliates those who struggle, disregarding external factors.
A reform is needed in the education system to value practical wisdom and civic engagement over mere credentialism.
Political discourse should focus on uplifting the dignity of all labor and ensuring that the voices of working-class individuals are heard.
A balance between pride in individual achievements and humility towards external circumstances is necessary for a healthy society.

Summary

The Role of Meritocracy in Society

Stephen West delves into the concept of meritocracy, highlighting its commonly perceived virtues where rewards are distributed based on talent and hard work. He discusses Michael Sandel's critique that despite the ideal of meritocracy, society often fails to achieve it due to systemic inequalities. This leads to a discussion on whether meritocracy promotes fairness or reinforces societal divides.

Theoretical Flaws of Meritocracy

Sandel presents two major critiques of meritocracy: First, the idea that it does not operate as intended in practice, as seen with dramatic statistics showing privilege among the top socio-economic classes. Second, even if a perfect meritocracy could be established, the notion could still foster negative outcomes, particularly in how successes and failures are interpreted.

Pride versus Humility

The podcast emphasizes the tension between pride and humility in the context of meritocracy. Successful individuals are often praised for 'deserving' their success based on personal effort, while those struggling feel humiliated, believing they are solely responsible for their failures. This imbalance fosters a toxic societal attitude that neglects external factors impacting individuals' circumstances.

Implications for Education and Career Recognition

Sandel argues that society's focus on credentials leads to a devaluation of important work done by those without degrees, claiming a necessity for a reform that focuses on nurturing individuals who can contribute to the community effectively. The current education system is viewed as benefiting those who pursue degrees, neglecting vocational training and practical wisdom.

The Political Landscape and Common Good

The discussion wraps up with a call for a political approach that recognizes the dignity of all work, advocating for a restoration of worth towards jobs at all levels regardless of educational background. This involves electing officials with a diverse range of experiences and reflecting on how policies impact the wider community.

Show notes

Today we talk about the dark side of meritocracy, the effects it has on the way people see each other, the dialectic of pride and humility, education reform, and a rethinking of the way we see government officials. Hope you enjoy it. :)

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