CAN SANDEL DETHRONE MERITOCRACY? Comment on M. Sandel’s The Tyranny of Merit

In the past, Michael Sandel has inveighed against modes of debate that bracket moral questions and exhorted Americans to discuss controversial issues in openly ethical terms, without telling us whose conception should prevail. His inviting probing style, coupled with his insistence you couldn’t have a just society being judgmental, made him an academic sensation.1 The title new book, Tyranny Merit: What’s Become Common Good?,2 disparages merit, but it is coy about whether idea problematic abstract or practice. About halfway through I began feel he had finally slipped off fence on question under consideration. Merit not laudable concept be saved. As pace book quickens, so becomes more urgent trying persuade there something intrinsically corrosive itself.Sandel contends meritocratic manner approaching important things life objectionable for two reasons. First, may actually lock inequality rather than ameliorate by layering sense unjustified desert top existing inequities. Second, obsession merit fosters “hubris” among society’s winners “humiliates” losers series ultracompetitive social experiences.Sandel at best when painstakingly unpacks into its component parts, illuminating both appeal why “logic commonality.”3 He also fruitfully shows how philosophy accommodated rise meritocracy valorizing higher education, which says worsened credentialism paved way governance technocrats. argues, instance, Hayekian economic libertarianism Rawls-inspired welfare liberalism tiptoe around myth although “reject rewards reflect what people deserve” deny principles justice reward merit.4 Despite beginnings, attitudes “are necessarily softened displaced” either philosophy.5I applaud Sandel’s success demonstrating ideology metastasized serious obstacle equality, himself does speak quite this way, preferring instead discourse ethics staple philosophy. Ideology superior method conceiving dilemma, however, because belief system sustained “pull yourself up your bootstraps” mythology, waves immigration built American Dream, many institutions educational attainment credentialism.If we make turn, will realize it’s merely matter selecting better talking issue avoiding less ideal ones, problem requires reprogramming interlocking systems thought fostering alternative ways life. Instead single ethic that’s culprit, reveals itself entire network complicated nested values, institutions, norms, policies, habits.6 Ideologies can inspire commit grand visions, they block productive forms solidarity leading act their own self-interest.Treating as teaches never enough offer stand-alone solutions; reform must come packages. Even approach politics can’t reduced global discourse; instead, progress showing facility suite discourses. Another valuable lesson surely unintended consequences. Tugging one part fabric area where we’ve momentarily trained our eyes beautiful, could rip open seams other, neglected sections tapestry. Sometimes worth pressing despite risk introducing imperfections; other times, change won’t candle.With these thoughts mind—that tenacious ideology, meaningful comes from persuasion closer conversion, reformers guard effects proposals—I take specific arguments. reveal underlying tensions logic, accords primary value form over outcomes status materiality. Given complex culture meritocracy, excesses curbed, gross reduced, fails emphasize material outcomes.Second, assess proposal university admissions lottery system. Because realistically implemented only handful highly selective impact faith tangible likely modest. Worse, randomizing distribution cause backlash communities (over)invested means compete scarce slots elite would undermine objectives.Third, rightly observes contributing resentment roiling country, emotions incomplete, focuses too narrowly white grievances election. Instead, need get evaluating historical claims anger disillusionment multiple across time.I conclude suggesting Trumpism wasn’t coherent attack tried harness introduce logic domains, such refugee policy. If want reduce meritocracy’s dominance particular potent substitute bring elites ordinary citizens together. When border control, are fraught sensitive, rhetoric fairness.There basic course like lightning throughout Good? first arises general philosophical orientation manifests difference between terms political actual outcomes, author characteristically choosing imbue former significance, latter occasional, secondary, significance. This strategy stems telos-based methodology resolving matters distributive justice.The tension found criticism merit: unequal conditions acknowledges (with respect income, access resources, diminished mobility) status-based consequences especially troubled (the marking some individuals, times whole groups, deserving others undeserving). Most time, choose kinds injuries. Of course, reaching wise decisions inevitably require tradeoffs.If correct engage critical make, adhering insightful lead revitalization politics. Heeding advice feelings inferiority helplessness plague society. We even begin imagine living together differently.But if wrong, members talk problems, then focused symptoms expense causes. And, wrong emotional harms consistently differences, solutions unwittingly reproduce vices strives lessen.Specifically, byproduct several mindsets lock-in (along racism, misogyny, aporophobia), getting rid visible practices still leave place. attacking certain policies labeled “meritocratic” waste precious time resources trigger fuels setting back groups further.What sustains notions opportunity competition themselves corrupted unhealthy sensibility? market, one. It’s institution organized practice exchange planning prosperity. Yet structure polity underwrites human beings relate another, features become focus reform. Although opposed major structural changes, doesn’t propose any either. That silence suggests find acceptable capital labor remain alignments, along power relations, long discussions continue apace transparently terms.7This comparatively say benefits rhetorically emphasizing “the dignity work” might transform nature work rapid technological cultural change. strike few objectionable, given number prominent politicians sides aisle (including Democrat Senator Sherrod Brown Republican Marco Rubio) recent years extolled “dignity labor.” And now, President Biden, personifies idea, centerpiece administration.8It possible concerned thinks fruitful them appropriate level probity clearing away detritus merit. absence materiality practical calculation priority.Still, writes logically prior vital settle upon. treats flow public equivalent deprivations. For “proposals compensate increasing purchasing working- middle-class families, shore safety net, do little address now run deep. loss recognition esteem.”9Sandel’s imperative anticipate highlights another difficulty: weigh insult determine responses. were go down road, skillful judging assertions injury. related inherently malleable vexing compared involving allocation goods. distinguishing those don’t raise justice, inhibiting robust debate.Second, degree conflict anxiety natural byproducts search justice. After all, equality liberationist potency proponents cannot contain completely.10 Whether consult emancipatory lessons religious traditions America’s fitful history egalitarian progress, discover lifting who previously enjoyed seat table larger slice pie experience demand satisfaction.This awash genuine status, well significant, heartfelt, complaints accompany equalization. seemingly secondary flowing material- caused policies.But mistake. kind claim alter proposals fellow citizens; warrant all minor accommodation. deterred making hard fear upset invested quo. always prefer perceived enemies wallow same misery trapped by, changed circumstances increase opportunities improve all.Sandel singles out discussion chapter 6 book. One ask neglects promote rising”11 perpetuate sorting (e.g., media, parties, most high schools), let missed side. There ample justification rethinking role university, central place master narrative success. reserves greatest scorn process, vividly describes giant machine, wrongly internalized sifting goal expanding education.Sandel proposes using standardized tests grades cull truly employing decide qualified incoming class. much recommend plan, institutionalizing element chance signal merit’s limits help break concentrated patterns wealth heredity.On hand, universities colleges. case, manipulating limited effect reshaping beliefs.Randomness undermining organizational function unless inputs virtually indistinguishable variations overcome. Winding very students interested sciences play quarterback year balanced subsequent years. A large, rich ride extreme variability. Less wealthy smaller colleges, particularly rely specialized programs athletics keep lights on, harder weathering chaotic forces unleashed proposal.As restoring esteem losers, doubts modifying Harvard Yale heavy investments meritocrats win admission schools skepticism exclusion already education. Nor doing instill stronger common good immigrants upper-middle-class vocal defenders individualism achievement. fact, crapshoot opposite effect, promoting see entrance integral Dream.The outsize sacrifices quest prestige unquestionably unhealthy, tackling head-on, priorities, sure produce tricky said, modest shift range reason give try, uncertainty affect status. expand shuffled upward, convince downside praise-seeking life.The realization disharmony inevitable apparent ponder further critique merit—that elitist concept—gives short shrift populist perspective Popular talented having influence society, industry, sport, They wish dethrone excellence, differ technocrats excellence means. But suspicious cynically advantage vagaries present superficial changes; oppose broad reforms radically cherish.For meritocrat, answer calcification mobility isn’t luck calculus thereby destroy incentives oneself, water standards call quality doubt. Rather, solution subsidies start advantages experiences set shot opportunities.Sandel’s warning fuel recrimination undermines projects “hardened hereditary aristocracy”12 taken seriously. Promising, too, turn toward integrating study senses long-standing Indeed, parts thesis deserve attention gives them. Focusing resentment, bringing picture despondency perennially disfavored presents incomplete portrait competing deprivation insult.13Part difficulty preoccupation election trajectory been characterized cycles gain resentful regression. seems genuinely shaken 2016 election, shaped efforts puzzle meaning—principally Americans. was really revolt suggests?Trumpism popular reaction things, globalization enhanced racial minorities affairs,14 concerted effort dismantle rule talented. stoking grievance, Trump disrupt generation pass next generation. Moreover, often displayed contempt suspicion experts, governing toggled appreciation signifiers, fancy degrees, aristocratic reliance counsel close family friends, modeling anti-elitism usually aesthetic substantive.If represented collective statement achievements extend mindset contexts, On signature issues, President's consisted demonizing foreign countries noncitizens promising inject deciding enter country.As discussing Arlie Russell Hochschild,15 directed “line cutters”: foreigners minorities, whom use extra government programs. largely takes face value, separate legitimate desire payback. That’s shame, righteous selfish bitterness assuaging envy neighbors countenanced. Not alike.What’s fascinating, though, saw discontent domains. did advancing wide-ranging changes policy “merit-based, security plan.” singled legal “come here basis random chance,” pronounced “[r]andom selection contrary values blocks potential world contribute.” allies, “create clear path talent” “low-wage low-skilled” workers “compete jobs vulnerable put pressure net.”16Turning merit-speak narrowed conversation objective: America, barring rest, deemed undeserving. context, internal fused supremacy, nationalism, resource scarcity. giving makers superficially pleasing, race-neutral pursuing goals.As example illustrates, leak variety including far afield areas concern. defeating opening doors; policing settings outcomes.An antimeritocracy entail calibrating depending issue, domain, climate. It facilitating emotions, devoted reduction resentment. become: fostered domain?Sandel’s objections thus recapitulated concern unjustifiably dominated effective beating undesired replace another. What, then, language merit?The trouble asking deserves turns every dues person paid transforms choice reflection individuals involved. magnifies possess invest.Yet fit egalitarians, inappropriate noncriminal contexts; degenerate pernicious stereotypes outright hostility groups. so, pluralistic environment, full-throated approaches apex utility consensus stake widely available. By contrast, fares education involved, equality’s hard-edged entitlement right country? Are rights citizenship implicated gets school?The situational factors reducing explain clashes wins. occasions prevails affirmative action, amount expected.If displaced, strident task, option fairness. Fairness stakeholders resistant universalist good. Substituting fairness debating retains purpose, job excesses. Fair captures meritocrat’s individual sake encouraged. At bay overly wrought judgments ones don’t.The trains systems, communal needs emphasis striving (or entitlements). subtle change, cashing one’s personal ahead greater well-ordered community each realistic life.A wonderful Teddy Roosevelt’s famous 1903 speech virtues “square deal.” “There bad class locality,”17 reminded audience, moment rising tumult America. Roosevelt “envy arrogance”18 traits destructive later square deal “an attitude kindly man man, regard man’s creed birthplace position be.”19For Roosevelt, principle ensured got equal needed, perhaps deserved, pointed out, “in run, tend together.”20 According “community interest people, [t]he dependent fundamentally upon us.”21 themes shrewdly avoided attacks promoted “class hatred” bridged differences capitalist wage-worker, “[m]en sincerely due protection property, men seeing guaranteed.”22Although occasionally used worth, disciplined overarching notion fairness: “We deal, entitled no receive less.”23 deployed fairness, room preserve aid starting line.My point solution. challenge critics provide sufficiently rousing outcasts insiders, struggling fine rules. Meritocracy’s Loosening ideology’s grip imagination clarion calls quiet conversations. Or else converts life, faith’s bishops foot soldiers generation.If insight correct, sort multiplicity discourses sketched here—a code-switching based plausibility—represents direction head. prove fully satisfying Sandel, who, above prefers clarity. constant, rollicking conducted register exhaust participants, inure suffering others, grievances. layered fronts, fewer setbacks. celebrate aspires