Making Sense with Sam Harris #205 — The Failure of Meritocracy
May 22, 2020
In a thought-provoking discussion, Daniel Markovits, a Yale law professor and author of The Meritocracy Trap, explores the pitfalls of meritocracy. He argues that instead of fostering equal opportunity, it entrenches societal inequalities, creating a new caste system. The conversation delves into the impact of the education system on wealth disparity and the challenges faced by the shrinking middle class. Markovits also critiques the elite's reluctance to support wealth redistribution, emphasizing the need for fair taxation and shared responsibility in addressing systemic inequalities.
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Meritocracy's Downside
- Meritocracy, intended to promote equality, now hinders it by favoring the elite.
- The elite's children receive superior education, perpetuating their advantage.
U.S. Inequality
- U.S. inequality resembles India's more than France's, with rising wealth concentration.
- The richest 1% earn double their 1960 share, while poverty has decreased.
Labor vs. Capital
- Unlike Piketty's focus on capital, Markovits argues that labor is the primary source of top 1% income.
- The wealthy now work longer hours than the less affluent, a reversal of historical trends.
