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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
O livro faz reflexos incríveis sobre o quão injusta pode ser aquilo q chamamos meritocracia. Fato é que em nossa sociedade raramente temos igualdade de condições para se justificar algo puramente meritocrático.
Além disso o livro fala sobre a peso moram e abalo na autoestima dos grupos “perdedores”.
As ideia são ótimas, só dei 4 estrelas pois o livro é um pouco cansativo e repetitivo.
Além disso o livro fala sobre a peso moram e abalo na autoestima dos grupos “perdedores”.
As ideia são ótimas, só dei 4 estrelas pois o livro é um pouco cansativo e repetitivo.
Sandel argues that American society's valorization of its meritocracy has led to a widening social gap between "winners and losers" which has contributed to rising deaths of despair and political movements like Trumpism. Sandel argues that our lionization of the meritocracy is flawed not only because wealth inequality, race discrimination, etc. means we're not meritocratic enough, but also because the very notion of valuing certain people more highly because of innate talents or "merit" is in of of itself a flawed premise.
"The Tyranny of Merit" is very readable and does a good job of blending cohesive, unique arguments with substantive examples that fit into Sandel's narrative. Though I disagree with large portions of it, the book's argument is strong enough that it made me think about the issues it addresses in new ways. For this Sandel earns five stars.
On the other hand, some of the book's shortcomings include an overly academic name-dropping second chapter and a disproportionate focus on the very well off at elite universities. Sandel contrasts this group with normal workers, but his writing reads as though he has no real understanding of the working class or what matters to them. For instance, he dismisses the significance of economic hardship and suggests that what they really need is "dignity of work".
Comparison: This book expresses many of the same ideas as "Rise of the Meritocracy" by Michael Young: the satirical book that coined the term "meritocracy" in the 1950s. That said, because it is so much more recent and written as a normal book instead of a piece of satire it is much easier to understand. Therefore, I would recommend reading "Tyranny of Merit" over "Rise of the Meritocracy".
"The Tyranny of Merit" is very readable and does a good job of blending cohesive, unique arguments with substantive examples that fit into Sandel's narrative. Though I disagree with large portions of it, the book's argument is strong enough that it made me think about the issues it addresses in new ways. For this Sandel earns five stars.
On the other hand, some of the book's shortcomings include an overly academic name-dropping second chapter and a disproportionate focus on the very well off at elite universities. Sandel contrasts this group with normal workers, but his writing reads as though he has no real understanding of the working class or what matters to them. For instance, he dismisses the significance of economic hardship and suggests that what they really need is "dignity of work".
Comparison: This book expresses many of the same ideas as "Rise of the Meritocracy" by Michael Young: the satirical book that coined the term "meritocracy" in the 1950s. That said, because it is so much more recent and written as a normal book instead of a piece of satire it is much easier to understand. Therefore, I would recommend reading "Tyranny of Merit" over "Rise of the Meritocracy".
reflective
slow-paced
An academic book a little outside my wheelhouse in terms of the philosophy/political/economic side of things, but I had enough connections that it was just the right amount of stretch. Enjoyed the topics! Was a work referenced in a book I read for my job in education and I wanted to learn more. Mission accomplished
Very approachable argument to how a meritocracy benefits very few and an engaging plotting of how merit has taken over in the Western world
The Book in 3 Sentences
The myth of meritocracy, the rhetoric of rising, and the notion of "getting what you deserve" have been powerful mechanisms for individual responsibility and social mobility. However, these come with unfortunate side effects - the creation of hubris among the successful and resentment among the unsuccessful, an erosion of solidarity, threats to democracy and the dignity of work, and a host of negative psychological and sociological consequences. In this book, Sandel scrutinises the notion of merit, acknowledging its strengths and increasingly apparent weaknesses, and proposes alternative models for acknowledging merit in society, while also acknowledging the role of luck and the important contributions of those who "lose" the meritocracy.
Impressions
This book is such a great summary of the current rhetoric of rising and the "American dream" and all its implications. It dives into so many important contemporary questions and provides much needed context to understanding politics over the last few years. As a university graduate, it really provided a fantastic insight as to the moral and social implications of my own experiences and beliefs - and gave me a lot to think about for where to go from here. This is undoubtedly one of the most important books I have read for living an examined life.
How the Book Changed Me
How my life / behaviour / thoughts / ideas have changed as a result of reading the book.
- The clear outline of meritocratic beliefs throughout this book made me realise that while I could logically critique the myth of meritocracy when considering public policy, I still held meritocratic beliefs regarding my own life and the lives of those around me. This book made me more insightful about the consequences of those beliefs, and encouraged a greater attention on which aspects of those beliefs could use some readjustment.
- There was an interesting point about how a reliance on "the expert elite" when making policy decisions stripped the average person of their say in public policy and undermined democracy (and contributed to Trump's election and Brexit). I would like to believe that I respect democracy as well as the role of experts - so our approach to settling public policy in a way that doesn't fuel public backlash is definitely something I have to reevaluate.
- I really enjoyed how the tyranny of merit was explained both in terms of cultivating shame and victimhood among the losers, but also endless striving and psychological distress among the winners - both sides of which I have experienced at some point
- I loved the idea that the winners of meritocracy have a moral obligation to give a portion of their income to the losers, on the basis that no one is self-made and we all required luck and assistance at some point.
- The clear elucidation of how meritocracy can be internalised (particularly with the notion of moral dessert and victimhood) led to me finally understanding some of the pushback against affirmative action/social support towards refugees, religious/racial minorities, etc. who get "special treatment" that "was not provided to others" (particularly the white working class).
- As a university graduate, this really got me thinking carefully about my role in credentialism - "the last acceptable prejudice"
The myth of meritocracy, the rhetoric of rising, and the notion of "getting what you deserve" have been powerful mechanisms for individual responsibility and social mobility. However, these come with unfortunate side effects - the creation of hubris among the successful and resentment among the unsuccessful, an erosion of solidarity, threats to democracy and the dignity of work, and a host of negative psychological and sociological consequences. In this book, Sandel scrutinises the notion of merit, acknowledging its strengths and increasingly apparent weaknesses, and proposes alternative models for acknowledging merit in society, while also acknowledging the role of luck and the important contributions of those who "lose" the meritocracy.
Impressions
This book is such a great summary of the current rhetoric of rising and the "American dream" and all its implications. It dives into so many important contemporary questions and provides much needed context to understanding politics over the last few years. As a university graduate, it really provided a fantastic insight as to the moral and social implications of my own experiences and beliefs - and gave me a lot to think about for where to go from here. This is undoubtedly one of the most important books I have read for living an examined life.
How the Book Changed Me
How my life / behaviour / thoughts / ideas have changed as a result of reading the book.
- The clear outline of meritocratic beliefs throughout this book made me realise that while I could logically critique the myth of meritocracy when considering public policy, I still held meritocratic beliefs regarding my own life and the lives of those around me. This book made me more insightful about the consequences of those beliefs, and encouraged a greater attention on which aspects of those beliefs could use some readjustment.
- There was an interesting point about how a reliance on "the expert elite" when making policy decisions stripped the average person of their say in public policy and undermined democracy (and contributed to Trump's election and Brexit). I would like to believe that I respect democracy as well as the role of experts - so our approach to settling public policy in a way that doesn't fuel public backlash is definitely something I have to reevaluate.
- I really enjoyed how the tyranny of merit was explained both in terms of cultivating shame and victimhood among the losers, but also endless striving and psychological distress among the winners - both sides of which I have experienced at some point
- I loved the idea that the winners of meritocracy have a moral obligation to give a portion of their income to the losers, on the basis that no one is self-made and we all required luck and assistance at some point.
- The clear elucidation of how meritocracy can be internalised (particularly with the notion of moral dessert and victimhood) led to me finally understanding some of the pushback against affirmative action/social support towards refugees, religious/racial minorities, etc. who get "special treatment" that "was not provided to others" (particularly the white working class).
- As a university graduate, this really got me thinking carefully about my role in credentialism - "the last acceptable prejudice"
informative
slow-paced
This helped me understand many feelings I have had for a long time. The idea that relying on merit, hard work, talent, or anything like that to deside who gets resources and has value still means there are people who don't have those things have no value. And what is considered worth working hard on, having talent in, or is merit worthy are all basically luck on the part of the successful who did not choose to be born in a society that favored those things.
People should be rewarded for there being alone because that is special not just rewarded for meeting certain criteria society deams valuable let alone punished for not meeting the criteria.
People should be rewarded for there being alone because that is special not just rewarded for meeting certain criteria society deams valuable let alone punished for not meeting the criteria.
reflective
medium-paced
More philosophical arguments that point out the flaws in meritocracy than anything else. Interesting and thought-provoking, but repetitive.