49 pages • 1 hour read
The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good?
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
272
Book • Nonfiction
2020s
2020
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Tyranny of Merit, Michael J. Sandel critiques the American meritocratic system, arguing that it exacerbates social inequality and fosters a divide between the "winners" and "losers," particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the 2019 college admissions scandal as a springboard, Sandel explores how meritocracy has led to a societal hierarchy that values credentials over individual worth, and calls for redefining dignity in all work to promote the common good.
Informative
Contemplative
Challenging
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
14,109 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Michael J. Sandel's The Tyranny of Merit is praised for its insightful critique of meritocracy and its impact on societal inequality. Critics laud its clarity and relevance, though some argue it oversimplifies complex issues and lacks practical solutions. Overall, it stimulates valuable discussion on the ethics of merit-based justice.
Who Should Read The Tyranny of Merit?
A reader who would enjoy The Tyranny of Merit by Michael J. Sandel is likely interested in contemporary political philosophy, social justice, and critiques of meritocracy. Comparable to readers of Thomas Piketty's Capital in the Twenty-First Century or Robert Putnam's Our Kids, they ponder societal fairness and ethics.
14,109 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
272
Book • Nonfiction
2020s
2020
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.