

Sandel teaches political philosophy at Harvard University. "rich in moral exhortation - the kind that does your soul good" Polly Toynbee Well-argued, clear, and nicely timed to appeal to the growing disillusionment with meritocracy. blends fact, analysis and opinion in eminently readable non-fiction Rana Foroohar, Financial Times compelling, too, in diagnosing the growing use of discriminatory language Julian Glover, Evening StandardĬredentialism is the last acceptable prejudice. He is good at dismantling the cheap language of recent politics. that will help us to heal our divided societies Matthew Goodwin, Sunday Times an insightful critique of where our societies went wrong. Nick Timothy, Daily TelegraphĮngaging and timely. The Tyranny of Merit is an important work, and makes a profound point that our leaders would do well to understand. The Tyranny of Merit is original, lively and no mere critique: unlike many others who have written on the "sorting" of society into winners and losers, Sandel produces a persuasive argument about the kind of community we should seek. Sandel is the most important and influential living philosopher.

He offers an alternative way of thinking about success - more attentive to the role of luck in human affairs, more conducive to an ethic of humility, and more hospitable to a politics of the common good. Sandel highlights the hubris a meritocracy generates among the winners and the harsh judgement it imposes on those left behind. Sandel argues that to overcome the polarized politics of our time, we must rethink the attitudes toward success and failure that have accompanied globalisation and rising inequality. And the consequence is a brew of anger and frustration that has fuelled populist protest, with the triumph of Brexit and election of Donald Trump. Stalled social mobility and entrenched inequality give the lie to the promise that "you can make it if you try". We live in an age of winners and losers, where the odds are stacked in favour of the already fortunate. "Astute, insightful, and empathetic.A crucial book for this moment" Tara Westover, author of Educated The new bestseller from the acclaimed author of Justice and one of the world's most popular philosophers A TLS, GUARDIAN AND NEW STATESMAN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020
