The Tyranny of Merit

What’s Become of the Common Good?

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The Tyranny of Merit

By: Michael J. Sandel

Narrated by: Michael J Sandel

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

These are dangerous times for democracy. We live in an age of winners and losers, where the odds are stacked in favour of the already fortunate. Stalled social mobility and entrenched inequality give the lie to the promise that 'you can make it if you try'. And the consequence is a brew of anger and frustration that has fuelled populist protest, with the triumph of Brexit and election of Donald Trump.

Michael J. Sandel argues that to overcome the polarised politics of our time, we must rethink the attitudes toward success and failure that have accompanied globalisation and rising inequality. Sandel highlights the hubris a meritocracy generates among the winners and the harsh judgement it imposes on those left behind. He offers an alternative way of thinking about success - more attentive to the role of luck in human affairs, more conducive to an ethic of humility and more hospitable to a politics of the common good.

Political Science

Politics & Government

Social Classes & Economic Disparity

Sociology

Capitalism

Socialism

Thought-Provoking

Inspiring

Economic Inequality

Social justice

Taxation

Liberalism

Economic disparity

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If there was ever a subject that needed airing this is it. This is an eye opener which brings a real clarity to the issues we face today but then realize our now out-with our control. Whilst much time is spent on education, that subject does drive home the message which means it is easier to grasp the economic message. “It’s the economy, stupid” and we have been made to look stupid by our leaders.