Is Meritocracy a Myth?

Is Meritocracy a Myth? — Vox, 2021, 20:01 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUbSpI0J9aQ

Is social mobility in America a rigged system? This video makes the case for why our meritocratic ideal is fatally flawed given that people start in vastly unequal social positions. Meritocracy, loosely defined, is the idea that talents and efforts enable a person to climb the social ladder, and that the most valued (i.e., well-compensated and respected) social positions are thus held by people who worked the hardest and smartest. Yet we tend to focus most on the outputs (i.e., measuring success) compared to the inputs (e.g., devoting more resources to ensure quality education). There is also the problem of human biases when it comes to selecting deserving and capable individuals. In short, the achievement gap may really be an access gap.

As a side note, the video appears to feature a version of “stratification monopoly,” a popular approach to teaching social stratification where students play the game Monopoly with different resources and rules.

From the video’s description: Education in the United States is supposed to be meritocratic, meaning a student’s achievement is measured solely by their efforts. But how do class and privilege affect opportunity, and does everyone really get the same shot? Glad You Asked host Fabiola Cineas explores how the myth of meritocracy perpetuates racism while keeping the American dream achievable only for a privileged few.