Why We Need More Meritocracy

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Adrian waldridge is the political editor at the economist and author of its badget column. His latest book is the aristocracy of talent, how meritocracy made the modern world. Adrian: Meritocracy is a system for allocating talent to opportunity. In order to do that, we need to judge people on the basis of their individual abilities instead of family background or connections. We also need equality of opportunity, universal education system which gives everybody a basic fair chance in life. Michael sandel: I want to just make the general case f why we need more meritocracy.

Meritocracy has long been an article of faith in the modern Western world. Get an education, work hard and the rewards of success will be yours, regardless of class, privilege or wealth. But recently meritocracy has come under attack, with the charge led by Michael Sandel, the Harvard philosopher whose public debates on how we define the common good have won him a global following. But not everyone agrees. Taking issue with much of Sandel’s arguments is Adrian Wooldridge, the political editor at The Economist. In this week's debate they argue whether we need more or less meritocracy in society. The host is BBC broadcaster Ritula Shah. For Michael Sandel's new bool click here: https://www.primrosehillbooks.com/product/the-tyranny-of-merit-whats-become-of-the-common-good-michael-j-sandel-pb/ For Adrian Wooldridge's new book click here: https://www.primrosehillbooks.com/product/the-aristocracy-of-talent-how-meritocracy-made-the-modern-world-adrian-wooldridge/

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