The Meritocracy Trap
How America's Foundational Myth Feeds Inequality, Dismantles the Middle Class, and Devours the Elite
Daniel Markovits
This book by esteemed Yale Law professor Daniel Markovits challenges the notion of meritocracy in American society. Markovits argues that the meritocratic ideal - that social and economic rewards should follow achievement rather than breeding - is a sham, perpetuating inequality and consolidating wealth and privilege across generations. The author draws from his personal experiences to expose the inner workings of the meritocratic machine and suggests steps towards a new world that values dignity and prosperity for all Americans.
Publish Date
2019-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
2019-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
Goodreads Rating
3.84
ISBN
9780735221994
Recommendations
3
Recommendations
2019-10-06T00:00:00.000Z
This is the most interesting and provocative book I have read in a while. The author sits atop America's meritocracy. He is a Yale Law School Professor. But he argues that it has become a deeply dysfunctional and pernicious system causing crazed competition and anxiety for those on the inside succeeding and the sense of exclusion and isolation for those on the outside. – source2020-10-21T00:02:36.000Z
If this is not clear from my review: Yes, I liked the book very much. It is one of these books that can change both how we view meritocracy and influence policy.
D Markovits, "The meritocracy trap" – source