Description
Discover 'The Meritocracy Trap', a groundbreaking book that challenges the prevailing narrative of meritocracy. Written by a distinguished Yale Law professor, this essential read dismantles the myth that hard work alone leads to success. As you delve into its pages, you'll uncover how meritocracy has perpetuated a cycle of inequality, fueling political, economic, and psychological crises in modern society. The book articulates a revolutionary perspective, arguing that the belief in meritocracy enables the concentration of wealth and privilege across generations, ultimately entangling the very individuals it purports to uplift. The book provides a profound insight into the harsh realities of social mobility and the struggles faced by the middle class, making it a must-read for anyone questioning the foundations of opportunity in today’s world. With 464 pages of meticulous research and compelling arguments, 'The Meritocracy Trap' not only critiques the current system but also offers transformative solutions for breaking free from its constraints. Published by Penguin UK in 2020, this brand new B-format paperback is essential for anyone interested in social justice, economic inequality, or educational reform. Order now and join the conversation about how we can redefine success in a more equitable society! Please note this book usually ships within 24 hours.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780141984742
Format: B-format paperback
Year: 2020
Publisher: Penguin UK
Pages: 464
Description:
A revolutionary argument from an eminent Yale Law professor, attacking the myth of meritocracy to show how it has caused today's political, economic, and psychological crises - and how we might escape its trap
Even in the midst of runaway economic inequality and dangerous social division, it remains an axiom of modern life that meritocracy reigns supreme and promises to open opportunity to all. The idea that reward should follow ability and effort is so entrenched in our psyche that, even as society divides itself at almost every turn, all sides can be heard repeating meritocratic notions. Meritocracy cuts to the heart of who we think we are.
But what if, both up and down the social ladder, meritocracy is a sham? Today, meritocracy has become exactly what it was conceived to resist- a mechanism for the concentration and dynastic transmission of wealth and privilege across generations. Upward mobility has become a fantasy, and the embattled middle classes are now more likely to sink into the working poor than to rise into the professional elite. At the same time, meritocracy now ensnares even those who manage to claw their way to the top, requiring rich adults to work with crushing intensity, exploiting their expensive educations in order to extract a return. All this is not the result of deviations or retreats from meritocracy but rather stems directly from meritocracy's successes.
This is the radical argument that The Meritocracy Trap prosecutes with rare force, comprehensive research, and devastating persuasion.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780141984742
Format: B-format paperback
Year: 2020
Publisher: Penguin UK
Pages: 464
Description:
A revolutionary argument from an eminent Yale Law professor, attacking the myth of meritocracy to show how it has caused today's political, economic, and psychological crises - and how we might escape its trap
Even in the midst of runaway economic inequality and dangerous social division, it remains an axiom of modern life that meritocracy reigns supreme and promises to open opportunity to all. The idea that reward should follow ability and effort is so entrenched in our psyche that, even as society divides itself at almost every turn, all sides can be heard repeating meritocratic notions. Meritocracy cuts to the heart of who we think we are.
But what if, both up and down the social ladder, meritocracy is a sham? Today, meritocracy has become exactly what it was conceived to resist- a mechanism for the concentration and dynastic transmission of wealth and privilege across generations. Upward mobility has become a fantasy, and the embattled middle classes are now more likely to sink into the working poor than to rise into the professional elite. At the same time, meritocracy now ensnares even those who manage to claw their way to the top, requiring rich adults to work with crushing intensity, exploiting their expensive educations in order to extract a return. All this is not the result of deviations or retreats from meritocracy but rather stems directly from meritocracy's successes.
This is the radical argument that The Meritocracy Trap prosecutes with rare force, comprehensive research, and devastating persuasion.