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