The Aristocracy of Talent: How Meritocracy Made the Modern World

The book "Meritocracy: The Myth of Fairness" by Steven Pinker argues that meritocracy is the best system for assigning responsibilities and that it has been successful everywhere it has been adopted, especially once women were brought into the system. However, it has become corrupted and social mobility has stalled due to the failure to complete the meritocratic revolution.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 496 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2023
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

The Times Book of the Year Award is a prestigious accolade that recognizes outstanding literary works. In 2021, Steven Pinker's book "Meritocracy: The Idea That People Should Be Advanced According to Their Talents Rather Than Their Status at Birth" was shortlisted for this prestigious award.

Meritocracy is a concept that has been around for centuries, but it gained widespread popularity in the late 20th century. It is the belief that individuals should be promoted or rewarded based on their abilities and skills rather than their social status, race, or gender. This idea was revolutionary at the time and has since become the dominant ideology in many parts of the world.

In his book, Steven Pinker explores the history of meritocracy and its impact on society. He argues that meritocracy has been successful in promoting social mobility, economic growth, and social justice. He also points out that meritocracy has its flaws, such as the potential for discrimination and the lack of diversity in certain fields.

One of the key arguments in Pinker's book is that the blame for many social ills being attributed to meritocracy is misplaced. He argues that assigning responsibilities to the people best able to discharge them is better than the time-honored customs of corruption, patronage, nepotism, and hereditary castes. Meritocracy, he argues, is not the root cause of all social problems, but it is a powerful tool for promoting social progress.

Adrian Wooldridge, in his book "Meritocracy: The History of a Modern Idea," traces the history of meritocracy from its origins in the 18th century to its present-day incarnation. He argues that meritocracy was forged by a combination of political leaders, psychologists, and educationalists who introduced the revolutionary principle of open competition. Wooldridge also looks outside western cultures and shows what transformative effects meritocracy has had everywhere it has been adopted, especially once women were brought into the meritocractic system.

However, Wooldridge also argues that meritocracy has now become corrupted and that the recent stalling of social mobility is the result of failure to complete the meritocratic revolution. He argues that meritocracy should be renewed and that it is essential to address the flaws in the system, such as discrimination and lack of diversity.

In conclusion, Steven Pinker's book "Meritocracy: The Idea That People Should Be Advanced According to Their Talents Rather Than Their Status at Birth" is a fascinating and thought-provoking exploration of the history and impact of meritocracy. Adrian Wooldridge's book "Meritocracy: The History of a Modern Idea" provides a comprehensive account of the origins and evolution of meritocracy. While meritocracy has its flaws, it remains a powerful tool for promoting social progress and should be renewed and improved to address its shortcomings.

Weight: 360g
Dimension: 198 x 129 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780141990378