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A review by carlosi
The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good? by Michael J. Sandel
5.0
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"