Michael Sandel Interview: Why A Party Should Care For Minority | Philosopher Michael Sandel Unpacked

In this book, Michael J. Sandel examines the increasing role of markets in various aspects of life, arguing that this trend has led to the commodification of essential goods and services, thereby corrupting moral norms. Sandel questions whether everything should be for sale and discusses the moral limits of markets, suggesting that certain spheres of life should be protected from market forces. He argues that the proliferation of market values has transformed us from having a market economy to being a market society, with significant moral and social consequences.

Written in 1958, 'The Rise of the Meritocracy' is a satirical work that projects a future society in 2034 where the concept of meritocracy has led to a rigidly stratified society. The book argues that the formula 'IQ + effort = merit' has become the basis for social hierarchy, resulting in a significant gulf between the highly intelligent upper classes and the less intelligent lower classes. Young critiques the idea of meritocracy, highlighting its potential to create a society where the upper classes lack empathy for the lower classes and where social mobility is severely limited. The work is notable for its insightful and often humorous critique of the potential consequences of a meritocratic system.