Twilight of the elites

In 'Twilight of the Elites: America After Meritocracy,' Christopher Hayes argues that the concept of meritocracy, intended to democratize access to elite positions, has instead exacerbated inequality and corruption.

Hayes contends that as more diverse groups ascended to power, they embraced accelerating inequality, leading to a new elite class prone to failure and corruption.

The book examines various scandals and institutional failures, such as Enron and the Catholic Church abuse scandal, and discusses the rise of leaderless movements like Occupy Wall Street.

Hayes also introduces the concept of 'fractal inequality' and the 'cult of smartness' to explain the mechanisms behind elite corruption and public distrust.