Engelsberg Ideas Podcasts
EI Weekly Listen — Adrian Wooldridge on meritocracy
Apr 19, 2024
Adrian Wooldridge, an expert on meritocracy, discusses the societal divide between the cognitive elite and the masses. Topics include the rise of populism as a response to meritocratic elitism, declining life prospects for non-college-educated individuals, political correctness wielded by elites, and the tension between meritocracy and populism.
29:45
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Quick takeaways
- Meritocracy creates a divide between the cognitive elite and the masses, contributing to populist uprisings.
- Perceived condescension and economic disparity by the meritocratic elite fuel populism and societal division.
Deep dives
The Rise of the Meritocracy by Michael Young
In 1958, Michael Young's book 'The Rise of the Meritocracy' introduced the concept of meritocracy as a significant factor in modern society. Young argued that educational and occupational selection methods determine life chances and self-worth more than traditional means of production relationships. He predicted a divided society with exam passes becoming an elite and exam flunkers feeling increasingly embittered, leading to a potential revolution.
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