Michael Sandel argues that the modern meritocratic ideal—the belief that success is solely a product of individual talent and effort—has fractured democratic society. He explains how this system fuels hubris among winners and resentment among those left behind, deepening the divide between the college-educated elite and the working class. Sandel analyzes how credentialism has become the last acceptable prejudice, replacing the common good with a competitive race for status. He specifically critiques the rhetoric of rising, which suggests that market-driven outcomes reflect a person's moral worth rather than luck or social circumstance.
Political science students and citizens concerned with increasing social polarization read this work to understand the root causes of populist anger. Readers gain an alternative framework for valuing labor that does not rely exclusively on market value or academic degrees. The text provides a sharp critique of technocratic governance and offers a path toward a politics centered on the dignity of work and social solidarity. By the end, the reader possesses a clearer perspective on how to rebuild a public life where citizens are not ranked by their economic output.
Deep; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Deep Diver. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2020
- Language
- EN
