01 | THE TYRANNY OF MERIT
Can we find the common good?
#introduction
This book examines the fairness of 'meritocracy, ' forming the basis of its plot. Fitst, ‘meritocracy’ is a system of governance or organization in which individuals are selected, promoted, and rewarded based on their abilities, talents, and achievements. following the theory, people should advance based on their own merit. It can be seen as a concept similar to the American Dream.
Most of people(especially who are living in challenging environments than in optimized environments, or who succeed despite the worst conditions, like Barack Obama) believing that the meritocracy is perfectly fair for everyone. But Michael Sandel endlessly explores and questions whether meritocracy truly represents the realization of justice.
Now, I'm going to introduce you to the most beautiful sentences from this book.
# the main texture
If barriers to achievement could be dismantled, then everyone would have an equal chance to succed; regardless of race or class or gander, people could rise as far as their talent and effort would take them....
This was the meritocratic promise.
-The Tyranny Of Merit, p.85
The conditions for realizing meritocracy are socially unattainable, and the evidence supporting its fairness is growing increasingly weaker. To achieve meritocracy under these promise, society would need to resemble that of The Giver or Brave New World—a society defined by brutal totalitarianism that allows no individuality.
I feel sorrow. On the surface, it seemed like a hopeful and bright promise, but there was a shadow —the need to control every aspect of fate.
The same can be said of those who excel in pursuits our society values less highly. The world champion arm wrestler may be as good at arm wrestling as LeBron is at basketball. It is not his fault that, except for a few pub patrons, no one is willing to pat to watch him pin an opponent’s arm to the table.
-The Tyranny Of Merit, p.123
I think this passage can serve as a powerful critique of meritocracy. The preferences and trends shaped by society as a whole are things that individuals have no choice but to live with. I enjoy playing classical music on the violin and piano, but due to the strong influence of K-pop in society, there have been fewer people inspired by my classical performances than I expected. If I had been born in Europe, it might have been different something.
Those who prevail on the battlefield of merit emerge triumphant but wounded. I see this in my students. The habit of hoop-jumping is hard to break. Many still feel so driven to strive that they find it difficult to use their college years as a time to think, explore, and critically reflect on who they are and what is worth caring about.
-The Tyranny Of Merit. p.180
I was surprised to realize that people who struggle to succeed due to unfortunate innate traits, as well as those who have risen to high positions through a combination of fate and ability, each carry their own different wounds. I used to think that if someone earned good grades throughout his school years and got into the Ivy League, they would be completely happy, as if they had the whole world.
I had never felt the term "hoop- jumping" resonate so cruelly before. I could clearly see into the hearts of the students on the beautiful campus, who had sacrificed so much and endured countless frustrations and sighs, all for the sake of getting into a good university.
#my thoughts
I have always had a strong belief in the "American Dream." My dream was to succeed and live happily in the future in America, but it felt like that hope was little shattered.
While I’ve come to realize that America is not as ideal in terms of meritocracy and the American Dream as I once thought, I still find myself loving the country. Whether my luck in America will be good or bad is something no one can predict. "Luck" is simply what it is.
