Meritocracy Essay

1107 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Sociology chapter 9 meritocracy

Many issues were raised by Dr. Leonel Lim pertaining to the concept of meritocracy such as the tension between its elements of egalitarianism and elitism, which has in turn scrutinized the discursive potency and relevance of meritocracy’s egalitarian promises (Lim, 2013) and the continued legitimacy of elitism in the society. (Wong, 2013) With this in mind, how do we reconcile the apparent contradictions between meritocracy’s egalitarian and elitist strands, on the need for re-working the ideology in schools and society?

Besides being a contradicting and unstable ideological discourse (Lim, 2013), ontologically, meritocracy is a dualistic construct (Robinson, 2012), and with problems. Its two elements of elitism and egalitarianism are, in my view, independent and competitive. With one being more than likely to dominate over the other, and in this case - the elitist one. Meritocracy is rooted in the ideas of Darwinism (Wong, 2013) which coining the term – “Survival of the Fittest” (Darwin, 1869, p.92), with those who are more talented or stronger gaining dominance over the rest in competitions (Darwin, 1869), and for their self-interest. (Hayek, 1948) Historically human society has evolved and organized along this linear pattern of having the best or the strongest to be at the top of a pyramidal hierarchy through competition. If this is the premise for meritocracy, then, elitism and not egalitarianism is the dominant strand in the ideological discourse of meritocracy. Meritocracy then merely provides a more humanistic packaging for this human evolutionary theory. If this is so, egalitarianism could not be looked upon to correct the excesses of meritocracy, with elitism being the dominant strand. I would think that in ...

... middle of paper ...

...for individual progression but for the greater good. (Bell, 2006) A virtuous and talented individual will have little honor and respect unless the strength are utilized for the people. (Doh, 2013)

In sum, this short discussion attempts to unpack the contradictions within the ideology of meritocracy and propose some ideas on reworking the discourse. Instead of “material pragmatism” (Wong, 2013, p. 308) the ideology of meritocracy could be revitalized with a moral legitimacy, which Dr. Benjamin Wong has rightfully noted as being “more elitist” since it aspires towards a noble human ideal of governance by the “wise and virtuous” (Wong, 2013, p. 309). More importantly, the moral role model set by the political elites would cascade a different ethos of leadership into our schools - that what is considered “merit” also includes the public spirit to serve the people.

Show More
Related

  • ' Dear Privileged, And Meritocracy Is A Book, By Briana Payton

    711 Words  | 2 Pages

    In May 2014, Time.com published an article that would soon become the source of no small amount of social contention (1). In the article, “Dear Privileged-at-Princeton: You. Are. Privileged. And Meritocracy Is a Myth,” author Briana Payton lashes out at classmate Tal Fortgang for an article he wrote a month prior (1). Payton, a freshman studying sociology at Princeton University and the political antithesis of Fortgang, takes issue with her classmates’ definition of the word “privilege” (1). She argues that, because Fortgang is white, society inherently affords him “privilege” (Payton 1). Payton’s main flaw is her tone — her condescending, demeaning, and arrogant rhetoric distracts from her content and diminishes her credibility. Conversely,

    Read More

  • Power Matters By Brenda Allen

    1173 Words  | 3 Pages

    Allen supports her claims about hierarchies and power dynamics in her chapter “Social Class Matters.” She dives into the structures of society by examining power and social class in various contexts. In this chapter, she explains that people are categorized according to themes of class difference and struggle. Social class is associated with the relationship between power and the distribution of resources. Because this stratification system of social class is one of the biggest predictors of school achievement, social identity plays a large role in the social reproduction of inequality in the education system.

    Read More

  • The Way Schools Work Case Study

    1394 Words  | 3 Pages

    However, to determine your place on the social ladder one needs economic and cultural reproduction. As DeMarrais and LeCompte state “wealth can be converted into social and cultural capital providing distinct non merit advantages that can be transferred to the children of the rich and powerful” (1999, 14). In other words, social capital and cultural capital are crucial assets. Likewise, as stated in The Meritocracy Myth “rather than viewing schooling as promoting democracy, social mobility, and equality, conflict theorists conceptualize schools as reproducing both the ideologies of the dominant social groups and the hierarchy of the class structure” (McNamee and Miller Jr. 2014,

    Read More

  • Essay On Privilege In America

    615 Words  | 2 Pages

    As a member of the dominant race in America, I know that I possess certain unearned privileges that allow me to be more successful overall. I was raised with the mindset that racism doesn't affect me because I am white. The U.S. education system taught me about my racial and ethnic history, but it is likely that my classmates of different races could not say the same. I learned about racism in school but not to view whites as privileged or degrading towards subordinate groups. My group was never seen at fault for oppression or took any responsibility for it. Myself, nor my peers, were ever seen or viewed as unfairly advantaged or privileged. I grew up under the impression that any person could achieve what they wanted if they simply worked hard

    Read More

  • Shamus Rahman Khan's Priviledge: The Making of an Adolescent Elite at St. Paul's School

    1711 Words  | 4 Pages

    Returning to his old high school after having had graduate ten years ago, Shamus Rahman Khan came in with one goal: to study the inequality of a school that claims to be more “diverse.” St. Paul’s School located in Concord, New Hampshire claims to have become more diverse over the years, accepting people of different racial backgrounds and social classes to their prestigious boarding school. However, as described in his book, Khan found that this claim made by the school is false. He also found out that the elite that used to attend his school is not the same as the elite attending it now. Nonetheless, it was the elite that were succeeding because they were the ones who could afford the school, had family linages that already attended the school, and mastered “ease” which made them privileged in society. Separating his book into five different chapters, each focusing on a different topic that helps support his claim, Khan describes this change in elite and the inequality that still accompanies St. Paul’s. In the introduction to Privilege: The Making of an Adolescent Elite at St. Paul’s School, Khan states the three most important points he will refer to during the rest of the book: hierarchies are natural and can be used to one’s advantage, experiences matter more than inherited qualities, and the elite signal their status through ease and openness. These are discussed thoroughly in throughout Privilege.

    Read More

  • Namit Arora's Essay 'What Do We Deserve'

    958 Words  | 2 Pages

    Arguments about fairness and justice have been up for debate for centuries. "What do we deserve?", a question that has many individuals raising their brows to their efforts in their pursuit to achieve their goals. If it is said that we are all placed on an equal standard why are there individuals struggling to stay afloat? In Arora’s essay, he examines three forms of economic modals of social justices that question that idea of why the prosperous or the impecunious "deserve" their position or stature in life. Out of all of Arora's economic modals that he presents the Meritocratic System is the fairest because it gives everyone a fighting chance.

    Read More

  • Essay On Meritocracy

    739 Words  | 2 Pages

    Meritocracy, unlike aristocracy, is the system in which talented people are rewarded and promoted to leadership positions based on their merit. According to James Whitehurst, meritocracy “now refers to organizations where the best people and ideas win.” However, as true as it may sound, meritocracy in America is still a myth and is not a certainty. In the article “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack,” McIntosh’s disdain of meritocracy when she described as “I must give up the myth of meritocracy.” She mentioned the meritocracy myth because in reality, many people who lack talents and experience can still climb the upward mobility ladder and become wealthier while the rest of

    Read More

  • Essay On Inequality In America

    1052 Words  | 3 Pages

    The historical context of inequality in the United States can be can be traced back to the American South and the times of the Civil War. The slave trade, Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment largely contribute to the inequality presented of the African American population.

    Read More

  • Social Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work By Jean Anyon Summary

    1340 Words  | 3 Pages

    Some people may believe that education all over the United States is equal. These people also believe that all students no matter their location, socioeconomic status, and race have the same access and quality of education, but ultimately they are wrong. Throughout history, there has been a huge educational disparity between the wealthy and marginalized communities. The academic essay “Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work” by Jean Anyon, an American critical thinker and researcher in education, conveys that depending on the different economic backgrounds students have, they will be taught in a specific way. He reveals that the lower economic background a child has then the lower quality their education will be and the higher their economic background is the higher quality their education is. Anyon’s theory of a social ladder is extremely useful because it sheds light on the

    Read More

  • Meritocracy In Canada

    823 Words  | 2 Pages

    In addition to a discriminatory job market and unrealistic expectations, the youth of today also has to deal with an education system that is in many respects inadequate. Tuition in Canada has nearly quadrupled in the past twenty years (Deschamps 2015), vastly outpacing the amount of inflation over the same time period. This has led to an increasing amount of recent graduates being in debt and unable to find a job. On top of that, universities have not changed very much over the past thirty years, despite the job market changing drastically over the same time span. This has led to a growing disconnect between universities programs and available jobs (Kawaguchi & Murao 2014). As a result, universities today are preparing the population for

    Read More

  • In Defense of Elitism

    1063 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Defense of Elitism. Summary The dominant theme in this essay appears to be this: post war social changes such as offering increased university admission promote the view of egalitarianism in education. The author’s main issue with “secondary” education is the sheer numbers of our population that the United States as a whole educates. According to Mr. Henry, the United States educates nearly thirty percent of high school graduates who go on to a four-year bachelor’s degree. He believes that the increased number of graduates has led to a workforce of mediocrity.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of The Spoils System

    2841 Words  | 6 Pages

    The Spoils System is defined in the U.S., as the practice of making appointments to public office and of giving employment in the public service on the basis of political affiliation or personal relationship rather than based on merit. It is an extreme form of political patronage and favoritism that originated during the colonial period but flourished in state administrations after the 19th century. The opposite of the spoils system is the merit system, established in the U.S. government system in 1883, which promoted and hired government employees based on their ability to perform a job, rather than on their political relationships. The spoils system has a negative impact on the government because it produces a corrupt government that is more concerned with political party favoritism than with the needs of the public. A merit system is ultimately better because it examines federal employees on their specialized skills and education in a way that filters out the incompetent workers and leaves only the most skilled workers. The merit system paved the way for more expertise and less politics in government.

    Read More

  • The Meritocracy Myth

    1611 Words  | 4 Pages

    The economic class structure in American society is an issue that is commonly depicted in contemporary American film. In J. Emmett Winn’s anthology “Moralizing Upward Mobility: Investigating the Myth of Class Mobility in Working Girl, he describes success as “The result of hard work and moral uprightness: the hallmarks of good moral character and substance. Further, they refute ideas that structural limitations are placed on individuals, particularly along lines of race, class, and gender, that cannot be overcome by the correct motives.” Unfortunately, in American society, there are much less opportunities for the lower classes. The individuals in the wealthy class are the ones who are given the most opportunities.

    Read More

  • Meritocracy In The Education System

    1179 Words  | 3 Pages

    This is rise to the top is achieved by all of those that are deserving, all who are able to demonstrate ability, despite their individual race, class, gender, or any other characteristic that is not based on merit. The purpose of a meritocracy, rather than a bureaucracy, is to form a class of elite individuals that are expected to be the most qualified in their line of work (Hayes 2012; 31, 53). In addition to assigning the best people to their respective positions, the meritocracy is also used to instill in people a sense of social belonging and order. When a person is placed in their respective class in society, it is done with careful precision that takes into account only the person’s true worthiness i.e. their merit (Young 1994; 97). The certainty of one’s place in a meritocracy leads to how this concept can be viewed as an

    Read More

  • Essay On Social Class

    1131 Words  | 3 Pages

    Social class can be defined in a variety of ways. As Alexander Hamilton once said, “all communities divide themselves into the few and the many”. To elaborate on Hamilton’s words, social class is what divides society into different rankings based on several factors. Amongst these factors are income, wealth, occupation, personal prestige, association, socialization, power, class consciousness and social mobility. As a result, these are the factors that define us as human beings in regards to society. A person’s well being is overall, heavily dependent upon this system of stratification in that it helps decide who gets what and the quality of the things that a person is receiving. This concept is defined as life chances developed by sociologist

    Read More

More about Meritocracy Essay

Open Document