The tyranny of merit is a philosophical concept that critiques the widely accepted belief that a fair society is one where individuals rise or fall solely based on their talent and effort. Coined and elaborated by Michael Sandel in his book of the same name, the concept argues that meritocracy, when treated as a moral ideal, inevitably becomes oppressive and divisive.
Why Meritocracy Becomes Tyrannical
Sandel identifies two primary reasons why the pursuit of meritocracy leads to a "tyranny":
- It Launders Inequality: By presenting the social ladder as open to everyone, meritocracy legitimizes vast economic inequalities. The wealthy can claim their privileges are the result of superior merit, while the structural barriers that prevent others from rising are ignored.
- It Inflicts Psychological Cruelty: In a traditional aristocracy, the poor knew they were poor due to bad luck of birth. In a meritocracy, the poor are told that their low status is their own fault. This creates a culture of humiliation and self-blame among the working class, while fostering smugness and entitlement among the elite.
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Join NowThe Role of Credentialism
A key mechanism of the tyranny of merit is credentialism—the overemphasis on college degrees and professional credentials as the primary measure of human worth and intelligence. This has led to a technocratic form of politics where the opinions of "experts" are valued over democratic debate, further alienating and disenfranchising those without elite educations.
Read the original analysis on Philosopheasy.