Michael Sandel: The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good?
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.
ideas that caught my attention
Democracy is in danger – Politicians don’t understand the struggles of millions.
We live in the age of meritocracy, and that has a dark side – people who do well tend to think it is entirely their own merit (when in reality, luck and or good connections played a role too), and these people look down on people who don’t do well, thinking they deserve it.
Society is full of anxiety – In the last few decades there has been a buildup in anxiety, that can blow up now any time.
more ideas coming soon