Uncommon Sense

Success, with Jo Littler

Oct 20, 2023

Jo Littler reflects on the origin and mainstream adoption of meritocracy, discussing how elites use it to maintain an illusion of fairness. The podcast explores the impact of the financial crash, the rise of non-work and assertive feminism, and the trope of escape in achieving success. It also critiques the valorization of upper middle-class culture and suggests alternative ways to reduce social inequality. Recommended books and movies challenge the idea of individual failure and explore community wealth building.

43:51

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Episode guests

Jo Littler

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Meritocracy claims to reward individuals based on talent and ability, but it reinforces systemic barriers and inequalities.

The concept of success through meritocracy has evolved over time and has been used by elites to promote the belief in a fair and open system, while critics highlight its flaws and reinforcing of social hierarchies.

Deep dives

Understanding the concept of success and meritocracy

The podcast episode explores the concept of success and how it is defined differently in various contexts and societies. In Australia, success is often seen as achieving personal goals through hard work and effort. However, this definition is challenged by the oppressive feeling of failure and fear of not succeeding. The historical roots of meritocracy are discussed, tracing back to Protestant beliefs in predestination and Islamic ideas of spiritual reward. The guest, Jo Littler, a professor at Goldsmiths, investigates meritocracy and its claims of rewarding individuals based on talent and ability. However, she highlights the inherent inequalities and critiques the system's increasing marketization and systemic barriers.

Introduction

6min

Exploring the Evolution of Meritocracy

18min

Success and the Shift Away from the Playing Field Not Being Level

5min

Escape, Success, and the Myth of Meritocracy

11min

Recommendations for Books and Movies on Success

4min

“If you’re talented and work hard, success (whatever that is) will be yours!” – So says the powerful system and ideology known as “meritocracy”. But if only it were so simple! Jo Littler joins Uncommon Sense to reflect on where this idea came from, how it became mainstream, and how it gets used by elites to convince us we live in a system that is open and fair when the reality is anything but that.

But Jo also shows things are changing. Since the crash of 2008 it’s been clear we’re living and working on a far from “level” playing field. Jo describes the recent embrace of non-work and the rise of assertive “left feminisms” as a sign of hope that the tide may be turning against meritocracy and shallow ideas of success, and discusses the work of people leading the way.

Plus: we reflect on the trope of escape. Why is it so often that to “succeed” in life, one must leave the place that they’re from and embrace the risky and new? And what’s up with the cliche of the “ladder” as a visual image for success? Jo reflects with reference to everyone from Ayn Rand to Raymond Williams. Also: we consider the 1990s rise of the “Mumpreneur” and the more recent phenomenon of the “Cleanfluencer”.

Guest: Jo Littler
Hosts: Rosie Hancock, Alexis Hieu Truong
Executive Producer: Alice Bloch
Sound Engineer: David Crackles
Music: Joe Gardner
Artwork: Erin Aniker

Find more about Uncommon Sense at The Sociological Review.

Episode Resources

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