The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good?

Written by Michael J. Sandel

Narrated by Michael J. Sandel

This program is read by the author.

The world-renowned philosopher and author of the bestselling Justice explores the central question of our time: What has 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 favor of the already fortunate. Stalled social mobility and entrenched inequality give the lie to the American credo that "you can make it if you try". The consequence is a brew of anger and frustration that has fueled populist protest and extreme polarization, and led to deep distrust of both government and our fellow citizens--leaving us morally unprepared to face the profound challenges of our time.

World-renowned philosopher Michael J. Sandel argues that to overcome the crises that are upending our world, we must rethink the attitudes toward success and failure that have accompanied globalization and rising inequality. Sandel shows the hubris a meritocracy generates among the winners and the harsh judgement it imposes on those left behind, and traces the dire consequences across a wide swath of American life. 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 solidarity, and more affirming of the dignity of work. The Tyranny of Merit points us toward a hopeful vision of a new politics of the common good.

A Macmillan Audio production from Farrar, Straus and Giroux

"This is a remarkable book about justice. In his unique and powerful moral voice, Michael Sandel digs at the roots of our divisions, dissects the causes of inequality, and dismantles the lazy orthodoxy of those on the left and the right. Accessible and profound, The Tyranny of Merit is a revelatory assessment of pervasive unfairness in our society, driven in part by a naïve and myopic reliance on the notion of merit. In a time of easy rhetoric and thoughtless tribalism, this provocative book is a must-read for anyone who still cares about the common good. You will catch yourself wondering, again and again, 'Why have I never thought of it that way?' No good faith reader will come away from this book unchanged."—Preet Bharara, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and Author of Doing Justice: A Prosecutor’s Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law

“Astute, insightful, and empathetic, Sandel exposes the cruelty at the heart of some of our most beloved myths about success. A must-read for anyone struggling to understand populist resentment, and why, for many Americans, the American Dream has come to feel more like a taunt than a promise. This book is just what we need right now.”—Tara Westover, author of Educated

“The Tyranny of Merit deftly exposes the flaws and fallacies of meritocratic philosophy. In lucid, illuminating prose, Sandel makes a compelling case for uprooting inequality and building a fairer society shaped by true principles of justice. A seminal work.”—Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Sep 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781250770028

Michael J. Sandel

Michael J. Sandel teaches political philosophy at Harvard University. His books What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets and Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? were international best sellers and have been translated into 27 languages. Sandel’s legendary course “Justice” was the first Harvard course to be made freely available online and has been viewed by tens of millions. His BBC series “The Public Philosopher” explores the philosophical ideas lying behind the headlines with participants from around the world.

Reviews for The Tyranny of Merit

[Carlin Humphries · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent exploration of the moral underpinnings of our contemporary approaches to global economies. Sandel offers insightful critiques of both sides of the political spectrum and keeps his focus on how to form opinions based on one’s own moral compass. A great read for anyone who votes or participates in the economy.

[Ill · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good critique. I highly recomend, especially for those who do not easily account for the psygological effects meritocracy can have on peoples behaviour.

[Ludwig Helmholtz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent as you can expect from Sandel, extremely clear and profound

[legemecum · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What Sandel describes should be evident, but it isn't to many of us. In many ways it isn't obvious to Sandel himself: He cannot overcome merit himself but encourages us at the end to foster a sense of everyone's usefulness for the common good in everyone instead of respecting and rewarding only those holding a diploma.

What difference does this make? Whether it's a diploma or my cleaning the toilets -- still it's something about me that is valued, not me. Our sick society can only come to its senses and stop the excesses that destroy us and our planet if we love and respect each other unconditionally, not for what we contribute, not for who we are, just because we are and are made to cherish each other. This is what the lucky among us experience from their family and dear ones, and this is the only love that can hold us all together and give us decency and peace of mind.

I can see no other way in which we can save us from the systemic destructiveness of our cultures as they are now, built to create mechanisms of crushing for some to be left behind and others to scramble on top. You see, you will never feel loved and will never trust in your fellow humans if deep down you think that they accept you only because of your contribution to the common good. How can I even value that common good that erases me. It's no longer a good but a tyrant, the worst tyrant of all, erasing my own strivings or, if I still have them, branding them as deviant and antisocial. What good could that be in the first place, separate from each of us.

[Stijn van Dijken · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very insightful and concise. Sandel doesn't fall for the trap of writing stretched thin common in so many popular non-fiction books.
I hope as many people as possible wil read it.
At the same time, there are many questions that popped into my head while reading that Sandel doesn't answer. So I'm left wanting more information and data.

[Keith James · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

More nonsense! I come from a poor hard-working black family and I've achieved what I have through my hard work!! Yes! The USA is the best country in the world! Yes, you can achieve what you want with hard work and dedication! That's why, in this country, you have people of all social status, colors, and creeds being extremely successful! Nowhere else in the world does that happen! It's great to take responsibility for our own actions! If you just have the government take care of everybody they will make us all equally miserable! I for one haven't had children yet because I don't feel prepared, I am a responsible individual, why should I have to take responsibility for people who are irresponsible when I'm being responsible? Nonsense! Don't turn the US into another Europe! FREEDOM is AWESOME!