Meritocracy and Americans' Views on Distributive Justice

by Richard T. Longoria

Overview

This book focuses on public opinion on issues related to the theory of meritocracy. By researching and studying a variety of sources in an attempt to understand public sentiments concerning meritocracy, Richard T. Longoria highlights the contradictory nature of American public opinion and questions the belief that Americans fully embrace the meritocratic ethos.

Previous research has found broad public support for the idea that smart hard working people should be rewarded. Why then don't we actually live in a meritocracy? In part this is explained by the finding that most Americans believe that the United States is already a meritocracy. Another explanations is the fact that race, gender, social background, personal connections and other non-merit factors are believed by many Americans to impact a person's outcome in life. Longoria brings issues of social justice and public opinion the fore, providing a critical analysis of American society and its fascination with the idea—and not the practice—of meritocracy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739123485
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	12/16/2008
Pages:	170
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Richard T. Longoria is assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at National-Louis University in Chicago.

Table of Contents

1 Table of Contents
2 List of Tables
3 Preface
4 Acknowledgments
Chapter 5 1. What is Meritocracy?
Chapter 6 2. Understanding Public Opinion and the Philosophical Debate
Chapter 7 3. Popular Ideas Concerning Meritocracy
Chapter 8 4. Meritocracy Revealed: The Case of Inheritance and Its Taxation
Chapter 9 5. Meritocracy Revealed: The Case of Affirmative Action
Chapter 10 6. The Consequences for American Democracy
Chapter 11 7. Conclusions
12 Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

How can Americans "tolerate such unmeritocratic reality," given that they claim to value meritocracy? In Meritocracy and Americans' Views on Distributive Justice , Richard T. Longoria sets out to analyze Americans' contradictory relationship to the meritocratic ethos.... the project Longoria undertakes does succeed in calling attention to Americans' contradictory sentiments about meritocratic ideals.

Political Science Quarterly

In this a very readable and compelling book, Richard Longoria vividly exposes the dilemma of the contradictory public attitudes and beliefs about meritocracy that Americans hold and what this means for 'public' policy and the prospect for American democracy.

Stephen J. McNamee

Reviewed.

Choice Reviews

How can Americans "tolerate such unmeritocratic reality," given that they claim to value meritocracy? In Meritocracy and Americans' Views on Distributive Justice , Richard T. Longoria sets out to analyze Americans' contradictory relationship to the meritocratic ethos.... the project Longoria undertakes does succeed in calling attention to Americans' contradictory sentiments about meritocratic ideals.

Winter 2009-10 Political Science Quarterly

Negative review.

November 2009 CHOICE