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Not sure I entirely follow you. In a meritocracy, as I understand the idea, one's success is based on ability and talent rather than on class privilege or weal

Not sure I entirely follow you. In a meritocracy, as I understand the idea, one's success is based on ability and talent rather than on class privilege or wealth. If the biggest factor in your success is your parents' wealth, doesn't that suggest we might not have a pure meritocracy? Do you have a link to the study? I don't remember the part about it still holding true when children are adopted away. That is an interesting finding. It would support your point (I think the point you're making, at least) that it's not necessarily parents using their class/wealth to bolster their children, but instead the parents have the proper mix of traits (intelligence, grit, ability to delay gratification, etc.) that results in financial success.

DonaldFisk 11y ago
Do you think a meritocracy is a good thing? Michael Young, the author of The Rise of the Meritocracy (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/792606.The_Rise_of_the_Meritocracy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/792606.The_Rise_of_the_M...), and the inventor of the term, didn't think so: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/jun/29/comment http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/jun/29/comment Nor do I. Who decides what abilities are important? How do they go about measuring them?
- Tenhundfeld 11y ago
  Honestly, I don't know. I haven't given the abstract concept enough thought or done enough research to have a well-reasoned opinion. However, I do think it is "bad thing" for members of the elite to believe that we live in a meritocracy – when we do not, IMO. Skimming that Guardian article, I think my feeling is similar to the criticism put forth there. The notion that we live in a meritocracy creates a sense of entitlement and superiority in the elite. That is, if you believe we live in a true meritocracy, then those on top are there because they're smarter and harder working, and those on the bottom are there because they're less intelligent and/or aren't working as hard. Said more simply, meritocracy results in the feeling that you deserve your riches, and they deserve their poverty. Whereas, in reality as I see it, your financial success is dependent on many factors outside of your control. Sure, most successful people are fairly smart and work hard, but many less successful people also have those qualities. The other factors contributing to success are things largely summed up by Warren Buffett's notion of the "Ovarian Lottery". I'm not advocating a meritocracy. I'm advocating an honest assessment of society and the factors contributing to financial success.

DonaldFisk 11y ago

Do you think a meritocracy is a good thing? Michael Young, the author of The Rise of the Meritocracy (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/792606.The_Rise_of_the_Meritocracy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/792606.The_Rise_of_the_M...), and the inventor of the term, didn't think so: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/jun/29/comment http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/jun/29/comment Nor do I. Who decides what abilities are important? How do they go about measuring them?

Tenhundfeld 11y ago
Honestly, I don't know. I haven't given the abstract concept enough thought or done enough research to have a well-reasoned opinion. However, I do think it is "bad thing" for members of the elite to believe that we live in a meritocracy – when we do not, IMO. Skimming that Guardian article, I think my feeling is similar to the criticism put forth there. The notion that we live in a meritocracy creates a sense of entitlement and superiority in the elite. That is, if you believe we live in a true meritocracy, then those on top are there because they're smarter and harder working, and those on the bottom are there because they're less intelligent and/or aren't working as hard. Said more simply, meritocracy results in the feeling that you deserve your riches, and they deserve their poverty. Whereas, in reality as I see it, your financial success is dependent on many factors outside of your control. Sure, most successful people are fairly smart and work hard, but many less successful people also have those qualities. The other factors contributing to success are things largely summed up by Warren Buffett's notion of the "Ovarian Lottery". I'm not advocating a meritocracy. I'm advocating an honest assessment of society and the factors contributing to financial success.