peapod_boston 's review for:

The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good? by Michael J. Sandel

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Michael Sandel's thoughtful, philosophical work covers some of the same territory of Fredrik deBoer's "Cult of Smart" which I read earlier this year. But where deBoer focuses primarily on education, Sandel covers a much broader political scope and uses philosophical tools which are even more compelling. Sandel goes after the language and culture of meritocracy that has infused American polictical and civic discourse (reminding us all that the term "meritocracy" was coined as both satire and a warning) arguing that it is a failed venture that demeans those who cannot, for whatever reason, succeed within its structure and that this discourse is a major contributor to the unrest that led to the election of Donald Trump. Sandel is cogent, clear, and fair-minded. If his jabs strike more often at the left it is because, from his perspective, the left have failed more deeply in their embrace of meritocratic language that originated with the right. His final call is more philosophical than practical -- calling for a shift in civic discourse. However, there are some good practical thoughts on reforming education (although significantly less robust than deBoer's agenda) and a single simple if cutting suggesting for tweaking the tax code to value work over rent-seeking financial transactions. A thoughtful and worthwhile read with a significant number of moments where I found myself saying, "I've thought that but never pushed that thought all the way in that direction" that were eye-opening.