The Rise of the MeritocracyMichael Young has christened the oligarchy of the future “Meritocracy.” Indeed, the word is now part of the English language. It would appear that the formula: IQ+Effort=Merit may well constitute the basic belief of the ruling class in the twenty-first century. Projecting himself into the year 2034, the author of this sociological satire shows how present decisions and practices may remold our society. It is widespread knowledge that it is insufficient to be somebody's nephew to obtain a responsible post in business, government, teaching, or science. Experts in education and selection apply scientific principles to sift out the leaders of tomorrow. You need intelligence rating, qualification, experience, application, and a certain caliber to achieve status. In a word, one must show merit to advance in the new society of tomorrow. In a new opening essay, Young reflects on the reception of his work, and its production, in a candid and lively way. Many of the critical ambiguities surrounding its original publication are now clarified and resolved. What we have is what the Guardian of London called “A brilliant essay.” and what Time and Tide described as “a fountain gush of new ideas. Its wit and style make it compulsively enjoyable reading from cover to cover.” |
Contents
CLASH OF SOCIAL FORCES | 1 |
6 | 25 |
ORIGINS OF MODERN EDUCATION | 47 |
FROM SENIORITY TO MERIT | 69 |
STATUS OF THE WORKER | 93 |
FALL OF THE LABOUR MOVEMENT | 116 |
RICH AND POOR | 142 |
CRISIS | 153 |
Common terms and phrases
ability able achievement adult education amongst aristocracy Beatrice Webb became become better Bradford Grammar School brains brilliant Britain British cent chil civil service clever children competition comprehensive schools demand dren educa efficiency egalitarian élite employers equality of opportunity Ernest Bevin father gence gerontocracy grammar schools hereditary higher House of Lords income industry inferior inheritance intelligence kind Labour Party ladder last century leaders less longer Lords lower classes manual workers ment mental merit meritocracy Michael Young modern schools movement nepotism never Northcote-Trevelyan Report once ordinary parents parliament political Populists primary schools principle progress promotion psychologists public schools pupils recognized reform regional centres scientists secondary modern selection social socialists society sociology status stupid superior talent teachers Technicians Party tests tion trade unions universities upper classes Walsall women young