Abstract

Few words are so polarizing today as “meritocracyµ. This is perhaps surprising if one thinks that the concept literally means “rule of meritµ. Yet, in recent years, thinkers have squabbled fiercely over whether this ideology is toxic or a panacea. This paper argues that we can, and should, maintain the concept of meritocracy while getting rid of that of merit. For only such an approach allows societies to continue to progress economically without relinquishing civic solidarity