The Perils of Meritocracy

The meritocracy that exists in American society is the subject of two articles that consider current events and classical philosophers.

In The Washington Post, Fareed Zakaria argued that meritocracy is under assault and under siege.  This meritocracy replaced a aristocratic system, led by WASPs, that "rewarded wealth, social status, and family connections."  In First Things, Patrick J. Deneen explained this American aristocracy was stable because both the working class and the elites believed two premises that were first described by Plato in the Republic: (1) all citizens (both classes) are united by their commonalities (e.g., belonging the same family or clan) and (2) each person belongs to a specific, distinctive, and unequal class.  When all believe both premises, the working class accepts the inequality, while the elites use their wealth and power to help others and serve the common good.

Today, this consensus appears to be unraveling.  Zakaria criticized a proposal to change the criteria for admission to New York City's selective, specialized high schools.  Socially liberal elites are uncomfortable admitting that there is a hierarchy of talent.  Deneen made the same point and stated that today's elites embrace inclusion---we're all equal, and no one should be left out---because they take the first premise as given.  The elites deny the second premise, however, which allows them to ignore their responsibility to the common good by emphasizing inclusion and claiming that those who are not elites chose their fate.  Their blindness is the result of rejecting Christ's commands.

Zakaria concluded that, despite its faults, no alternative is  better than meritocracy.  Deneen concluded that, because the elites whom this meritocracy created refuse to acknowledge their position and fail to work for the common good, the working class will continue to support populist rebellions.

Sources:
Deneen, Patrick J., "The Ignoble Lie," First Things, April 2018.  https://www.firstthings.com/article/2018/04/the-ignoble-lie

Harris, Elizabeth A., "De Blasio Proposes Changes to New York’s Elite High Schools," The New York Times, June 2, 2018.  https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/02/nyregion/de-blasio-new-york-schools.html

Zakaria, Fareed, "American meritocracy is under attack," The Washington Post, June 29, 2018.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/meritocracy-is-under-attack/2018/06/28/e9f689d0-7afb-11e8-93cc-6d3beccdd7a3_story.html?utm_term=.b0d259db9570