The Tyranny of Merit

What's Become of the Common Good?

By: Michael J. Sandel

Narrated by: Michael J. Sandel

This program is read by the author.

The world-renowned philosopher and author of the best-selling 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 fosters among the winners and the indignities it inflicts on those left behind. And 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 US 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)

©2020 Michael J. Sandel (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“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)

So Much To Consider

I loved this book. I've never considered the problems with meritocracy in this much detail. it helped to organize my own thoughts on the issues. if only everyone would read it, especially our political leaders and the wealthy elite, we could begin to repair the divide between people and restore dignity to so many.

Critical work on the polarization which grips our country

Well worth reading and pondering A little slow in the middle third as it overly focuses on meritocracy as it relates to elite colleges

The lost profound book I have read in a log time.

It forced me and hopefully others to question merit and achievement and how it is also corrosive to our society and the common good.

It points to how to rethink our consumerist society into one that equally honors the dignity of work and equality, the bedrock of a self governing society.

I could not put it down.

Fascinating analysis of a serious problem with our culture

We have been brought up to think of meritocracy as intrinsically fair and ethical. Sandel’s analysis shows how this belief is seriously fallacious. He then proposes solutions that would promote a more humane and less divisive society. The analysis minimizes ideological dogma.

Highly recommending!!! 😃👏👏

One might agree or disagree with author’s ideas but all should take time reading this amazing book, understanding fundamental questions he raises and thinking what should be the answers.
Answers will shape our future.

Thought provoking 

It is an insightful book with compelling arguments. It is a shame our leaders have not Considered the office proposals. 

A new way of thinking

It will challenge your views in ways you would not think. It makes great points.

Excelente! Um livro que, após lido, faz pensar diferente!

Excelente! Este livro aborda, com muita clareza, os riscos que corremos ao adotarmos a meritocracia como um valor, um ideal, e utilizá-la para justificar as desigualdades. Interessante também o resultado da pesquisa sobre os preconceitos que as pessoas com nível superior (graduação) possuem sobre as que não têm. Este é mais um livro fantástico do Michael Sandel, do mesmo nível do “Justiça: a coisa certa a fazer.” Impossível lê-lo e terminar pensando o que se pensava antes.

Allows for some true reflection on life

Every now and then I stumble upon a book that truly enriches my life and allows me to think more critically and clearly. This is one of these books. Especially if you are interested in the never ending discussion about a meritocracy and equality of opportunity vs equality of outcome/result, you should read this book! It will almost certainly enrich your views and sharpen your understanding about one of the most oversimplified matters of our todays discourse.

Phenomenal!!

Loved it! Very thought-provoking and timely. Great argument for more humility and solidarity in our current society.