Is Meritocracy Really the Answer to Wokeness? | Guest: Nate Fischer | 1/27/25
Jan 27, 2025
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Nate Fischer, CEO of New Founding and advocate for right-aligned business practices, dives deep into the complexities of meritocracy versus wokeness. He questions whether merit should be the sole criterion for leadership while exploring the dangers of a purely managerial mindset. Fischer emphasizes the importance of community, loyalty, and meaningful connections, critiquing traditional views on merit that overlook familial ties. The discussion also touches on cultural investments and the role of ownership in fostering a healthier, more resilient society.
The podcast discusses how the shift from DEI to meritocracy raises important questions about the criteria used for selecting leaders in society.
Nate Fisher advocates for a community-focused model that integrates cultural values and long-term investments, challenging the conventional profit-first mindset.
Both DEI and meritocracy are critiqued for reducing individuals to mere metrics, emphasizing the need for recognizing unique contributions and fostering trust in organizations.
Deep dives
The Shift from DEI to Meritocracy
The discussion centers on the cultural and political shift away from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies towards a renewed emphasis on meritocracy, especially in light of changes brought about by the Trump administration. Although meritocracy is appealing as it ostensibly rewards based on individual capability, questions arise about its practical implications and whether it truly serves as a viable alternative to DEI. Critics argue that meritocracy may also reduce individuals to mere metrics, similar to DEI, by relying heavily on credentials and standardized assessments. This paradigm shift raises essential questions about the core values and principles guiding decisions on who is selected for various roles in society.
Nate Fisher's Vision for New Founding
Nate Fisher, as the CEO of New Founding, advocates for a reimagined venture model that supports civic and cultural endeavors aligned with conservative values. His firm identifies and invests in projects that seek to address critical societal challenges, from pro-life health insurance options to alternative educational content for children. Fisher emphasizes the importance of community and ownership, arguing that cultivating local ties and values can enhance societal resilience and stability. His approach reshapes the narrative around successful business ventures, underscoring the need to integrate economic, social, and cultural factors into investment decisions.
The Complex Dynamics of Meritocracy
Meritocracy is often presented as an ideal system of governance; however, it is critiqued for obscuring the real complexities of human merit and qualifications. The blanket belief that hiring based solely on documented achievements and credentials leads to the best outcomes disregards factors like community loyalty, trust, and shared values. Fisher argues that, while qualifications are important, they should not be the sole determinants for hiring, especially when considering roles that involve leadership and governance. A more nuanced understanding of merit could prioritize those personal and communal connections, resulting in stronger institutional integrity.
The Limitations of a Managerial Mindset
The podcast explores how both DEI and meritocracy exhibit a managerial mindset that reduces individuals to mere inputs in a system, making them interchangeable and undermining their unique contributions. This approach can lead organizations to prioritize efficiency and short-term gains over sustainable collaboration and community building. Fisher argues that this not only erodes trust among employees but also invites competition from algorithms that could easily replace humans in such a system. By recognizing individual contributions and embedding accountability within community-based models, organizations can foster a culture that values trust and long-term success.
Long-Term Vision vs. Short-Term Metrics
A vital theme in the conversation highlights the importance of long-term investments over short-term profits in creating sustainable cultural and economic systems. Fisher critiques the right's tendency to seek immediate financial returns while overlooking the benefits of fostering cultural institutions that may not yield quick results. He contrasts this with the left’s strategy, where investments in culture and community often pay off over the long haul, suggesting that conservatives need to adopt a similar perspective. By prioritizing ownership, community, and purpose over simple profit metrics, a more resilient and prosperous society can emerge.
As Trump attempts to strip the woke DEI regime out of the American government, many conservatives have celebrated the return of meritocracy as the default system for selecting and elevating people into places of authority. Merit serves a critical function in selecting for doctors and scientists, but should it be the only criteria considered? Nate Fischer, CEO of New Founding, joins me to discuss the dangers of falling into the managerial mindset.