How the Meritocracy Illusion Divided the U.S.

Harvard Business Review · Oct 25, 2026 · 1h 3m

How the Myth of Meritocracy Divided the U.S.

11 Nov 2020

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One week after a contentious U.S. election, we speak with Harvard political philosopher Michael J. Sandel about making sense of what’s happening in America. In his new book, “The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good?”, Sandel argues that stalled social mobility has led to anger and frustration. He advocates for building a fairer, more inclusive society shaped by updated principles of justice and dignity. --------------------------------------------------------------------- At Harvard Business Review, we believe in…