Why meritocracy is a LIE... (it's way worse than people realize)

Summary

This video script delves into the growing issue of inequality and the myth of meritocracy. It critiques the belief in equal opportunity, exposing how wealth and power often stay within certain families, perpetuating inequality. Through the exploration of social mobility, the script reveals that despite the ideals of meritocracy and the Enlightenment’s promise of equality, true social mobility is rare. Highlighting the persistence of privilege across generations and the role of cultural narratives, the script challenges the fairness of society and the impact of meritocratic beliefs on inequality, urging viewers to rethink the fairness of their systems.

Takeaways

• 😀 Inequality is increasing, with the rich and powerful doing exceedingly well, while inequality between the rich and poor grows wider in developed countries.
• 😀 Religion historically justified inequality by asserting divine right, but the Enlightenment introduced the idea of equality, challenging traditional structures of power.
• 😀 The concept of 'equality of opportunity' replaced the pursuit of true equality, giving rise to the idea of meritocracy, which promises success based on effort and merit rather than birth.
• 😀 Meritocracy is often used as a justification for inequality, asserting that anyone can rise through hard work, but this ideal is increasingly questioned by social reality.
• 😀 The rise of 'Nepo babies'—children of the wealthy and powerful who inherit positions in entertainment and beyond—reveals the limitations of social mobility and the meritocratic promise.
• 😀 The popularity of the term 'Nepo baby' highlights growing awareness of how wealth and power are maintained across generations, raising questions about equality of opportunity.
• 😀 Research shows that social mobility is significantly limited in societies where wealth and power are inherited across generations, especially in countries with high inequality.
• 😀 Persistence measures how much children inherit economic advantages or disadvantages from their parents, revealing how much class position is passed down through generations.
• 😀 Countries with high levels of inequality, such as the US and UK, show higher economic persistence, meaning children born into wealth tend to remain wealthy, and vice versa.
• 😀 Historical research reveals that social mobility has remained largely unchanged over centuries, with elites in various countries maintaining their status across generations.
• 😀 The belief in meritocracy creates an illusion of fairness in societies, leading people to accept greater inequality because they believe that success depends on effort and talent.
• 😀 The paradox of inequality shows that in more unequal societies, people are more likely to believe in meritocracy, despite the reality that such systems often hinder social mobility.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on the concept of meritocracy as a justification for inequality and its impact on social mobility, exploring how the belief in equal opportunity may not align with actual societal structures that perpetuate inequality.

How has the justification for inequality evolved over time?

Historically, religion was used to justify inequality, with the belief that power and wealth were divinely ordained. After the Enlightenment, the idea that all men are created equal emerged, but this led to the adoption of meritocracy as a new justification for inequality, claiming equal opportunity rather than equal outcomes.

What is meritocracy, and how is it used in today's society?

Meritocracy is the belief that individuals' success is based on their effort and abilities rather than their background or privilege. In modern society, it is used as a justification for inequality, with the argument that success depends on merit and hard work, even though the reality often contradicts this belief.

What role do 'nepo babies' play in the discussion of meritocracy?

Nepo babies, children of wealthy or influential families who inherit their positions rather than earning them through merit, highlight the lack of true social mobility in meritocratic societies. Their existence challenges the notion that success is solely based on effort or talent.

What is social mobility, and how does it relate to meritocracy?

Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals to move up or down the social and economic ladder. Meritocracy suggests that social mobility should be possible for everyone based on their effort, but research shows that mobility is limited, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

What does the concept of 'persistence' refer to in social mobility research?

Persistence in social mobility research refers to how much of a person's socio-economic status or advantages/disadvantages are passed down from one generation to the next. It is used to measure the degree of inheritance in income, education, and occupation between parents and children.

How does economic inequality affect social mobility, according to research?

Research indicates that in countries with high economic inequality, social mobility tends to be lower. The greater the gap between the rich and poor, the more difficult it is for individuals from lower-income families to climb the social ladder.

What is the 'Great Gatsby Curve,' and how does it relate to inequality?

The Great Gatsby Curve is a concept that shows the relationship between inequality and social mobility. It suggests that in countries with higher inequality, there is lower social mobility, making it harder for individuals to move from the bottom of the income distribution to the top.

How do rags-to-riches stories impact perceptions of social mobility?

Rags-to-riches stories, like those of Oprah Winfrey and Andrew Carnegie, create the illusion that social mobility is possible for everyone, even though these examples are rare. They reinforce the belief that success is based on merit, which in turn supports the idea of a meritocratic society.

What is the paradox of inequality, as described by Jonathan Mijs?

The paradox of inequality refers to the idea that in more unequal societies, people are more likely to believe in meritocracy, even though these societies are less meritocratic in reality. As inequality grows, the belief in meritocracy becomes stronger, perpetuating the cycle of inequality.