What Is Meritocracy? | Short Pitch | Richard Reeves

Summary

This script discusses Michael Young's 1958 book 'The Rise of the Meritocracy,' which coined the term and explored its dystopian implications. It highlights the book's four main points: increased income inequality, despair among the unsuccessful, a focus on 'assortative mating' to maintain merit, and a populist revolt against the meritocratic elite. The talk concludes with a humorous plug for a music and philosophy festival.

Takeaways

• 📚 The term 'meritocracy' was coined by Michael Young in his 1958 book 'The Rise of the Meritocracy', where he expressed concern about the concept combining Greek and Latin roots.
• 🤔 Young worried that society might not take 'meritocracy' seriously due to its hybrid linguistic origin, but the book was published and became influential.
• 📈 The script discusses the dystopian aspects of a meritocratic society, where merit is narrowly defined by market-rewarded skills and capabilities.
• 💼 Goldman Sachs' mission statement claims the company is a meritocracy, which Young would have disagreed with, indicating a misunderstanding of his concept.
• 💡 The book presents a society where 'IQ plus effort equals merit', suggesting a shift from an aristocracy to a meritocracy based on talent.
• 📊 The first major consequence of meritocracy mentioned is a significant increase in income inequality, as the successful do not feel the need to redistribute their wealth.
• 😔 The second point is the despair and disillusionment among those who are not successful in a meritocracy, as they have no one to blame but themselves for their lack of progress.
• 💑 The third takeaway is the rise of 'assortative mating', where people tend to marry others with similar educational and social backgrounds, reinforcing meritocratic divides.
• 🔄 The fourth point discusses a populist revolt against the meritocracy, where leaders exploit the disenchantment of those who feel left behind, leading to a revolution.
• 🎶 The script ends with a humorous reference to a music and philosophy festival, contrasting the serious discussion with a lighter note.

Q & A

What is the 'Rise of the Meritocracy'?

The 'Rise of the Meritocracy' is a book published in 1958 by Michael Young, who invented the term 'meritocracy' and explored the consequences of a society that values merit above all else.

Why was Michael Young concerned about the term 'meritocracy'?

Michael Young was concerned because the term 'meritocracy' combines a Greek root with a Latin root, which he thought might make people take it less seriously.

What is the main theme of the book 'Rise of the Meritocracy'?

The book presents a dystopian vision of a society that believes itself to be a meritocracy, focusing on the potential negative consequences of such a society.

How does the concept of meritocracy relate to income inequality in the book?

The book suggests that in a meritocracy, income inequality significantly increases because those who are successful feel they have earned their wealth through their own merit and see no reason to redistribute it.

What is the impact of meritocracy on those who are less successful according to the book?

The book describes that those who are less successful in a meritocracy become increasingly despairing and disillusioned, as they blame themselves for their lack of success.

What is 'assortative mating' as mentioned in the script?

Assortative mating refers to the trend where individuals with similar educational and social backgrounds tend to marry and have children with each other, which can reinforce the meritocratic divide.

How does the book depict the societal structure in a meritocracy?

The book depicts a society where success is attributed to personal merit, leading to a lack of empathy for the less fortunate and a focus on marrying and reproducing with those of similar merit.

What is the final outcome of the meritocratic society as described in the book?

The book concludes with a populist revolt against the meritocratic elite, which results in a bloody revolution, indicating the instability of a society based solely on merit.

What is the significance of the Goldman Sachs mission statement in relation to the concept of meritocracy?

The Goldman Sachs mission statement claims the company is a meritocracy, which Michael Young might have disagreed with, as he intended the term to highlight potential societal issues rather than as a corporate ideal.

How does the script relate the concept of meritocracy to current societal issues?

The script connects the concept of meritocracy to current issues such as increasing income inequality, social division, and the potential for populist backlash against perceived elitism.

What is the 'How the Light Gets In' festival mentioned in the transcript?

The 'How the Light Gets In' festival is a unique event combining days of philosophical, political, artistic, and scientific debates with evenings of music and dance, symbolizing the exploration of ideas in a meritocratic society.