The Rise of the Meritocracy / Edition 2

by Michael Young

Overview

Michael 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."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781560007043
Publisher:	Transaction Publishers
Publication date:	01/31/1994
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	198
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Michael F.D. Young studied at the universities of Cambridge and Essex and the former Regent Polytechnic. He is Senior Lecturer in Sociology of Education at the University of London Institute of Education, and was previously Head of Science at the London Nautical School.

Michael F.D. Young studied at the universities of Cambridge and Essex and the former Regent Polytechnic. He is Senior Lecturer in Sociology of Education at the University of London Institute of Education, and was previously Head of Science at the London Nautical School.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION PART ONE: RISE OF THE ELITE 1 CLASH OF SOCIAL FORCES 2 THREAT OF COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOLS 3 ORIGINS OF MODERN EDUCATION 4 FROM SENIORITY TO MERIT PART TWO: DECLINE OF THE LOWER CLASSES 5 STATUS OF THE WORKER 6 FALL OF THE LABOUR MOVEMENT 7 RICH AND POOR 8 CRISIS

Editorial Reviews

-Has the thrill of immediate relevance. . . its thinking is consistently rich and fascinating. Young is onto a big theme, involving fundamental questions about social organization and individual dignity. What drives the book is Young's having identified one of the fundamental paradoxes of what we would call liberalism and the British would call socialism: the liberal dream of equal opportunity.-

--Nicholas Lemann, The Atlantic Monthly

"Has the thrill of immediate relevance. . . its thinking is consistently rich and fascinating. Young is onto a big theme, involving fundamental questions about social organization and individual dignity. What drives the book is Young's having identified one of the fundamental paradoxes of what we would call liberalism and the British would call socialism: the liberal dream of equal opportunity."

--Nicholas Lemann, The Atlantic Monthly

"Has the thrill of immediate relevance. . . its thinking is consistently rich and fascinating. Young is onto a big theme, involving fundamental questions about social organization and individual dignity. What drives the book is Young's having identified one of the fundamental paradoxes of what we would call liberalism and the British would call socialism: the liberal dream of equal opportunity."

--Nicholas Lemann, The Atlantic Monthly

From the Publisher