Robert k miller this book challenges the widely held american belief in meritocracy that people get out of the system what they put into it based on individual merit. These citations may not conform precisely to your selected citation style. It is a well argued, well researched and comprehensive look at how inheritance, social and cultural capitals, education, social mobility, racism, sexism. Every sociology student should read this clear and compelling book, and their instructors should too. According to this ideology, you get out of the system what you put into it. The meritocracy myth challenges the widely held american belief in. May 03, 2004 the meritocracy myth is a myth not because people of merit dont exist. The meritocracy myth only accounts for a 10% change who said the myth of of meritocracy is itself harmful because by discounting the most important causes of inequality. The meritocracy myth north carolina sociological association. Meritocracy myth word the meritocracy myth by stephen. They examine the origins of the american dream, analyze the case for. The meritocracy myth this book is the best work to date on the foundations and developmental factors of the widespread idea of deserved wealth and its psychosocial implications in america.
A compelling book on an oftenoverlooked topic, the first edition was highly regarded and. The meritocracy myth reminds many of us why we became. Which of the following best describes the meritocracy myth as described by mcnamee and miller. He wrote previous editions of the meritocracy myth with robert k. Pdf the myth of meritocracy download full pdf book download. The meritocracy myth challenges the widely held american belief in meritocracy that people get out of the system what they put into it based on individual merit. Stephen mcnamee s important book, the meritocracy myth, gives students and citizens alike a much deeper and more complete understanding of why some people succeed and some people fail. Mcnamee is professor of sociology at the university of north carolina wilmington. A compelling book on an oftenoverlooked topic, the meritocracy myth has become a classroom classic to introduce students to this provocative topic. The book also features a new section on the great recession. With inequalities at the core of sociology, the meritocracy myth makes a valuable contribution to the field by closely examining the contributing mechanisms that perpetuate class disparities.
Mcnamee and miller explain that meritocracy is a myth and that there is no substitute for starting in advance of others in life, and that being female or a. A compelling book on an oftenoverlooked topic, the first edition was highly regarded and proved a useful examination of this classic american ideal. Jul 18, 20 buy the meritocracy myth third by mcnamee, stephen j. According to mcnamee and miller, the idea of meritocracy is a myth because nonmerit factors impede success. The book examines talent, attitude, work ethic, and character as elements of merit and evaluates the effect of nonmerit factors such as family background, social connections, luck. Mcnamee expertly explains how individuals are entangled in a web of forces that interact to shape their fortunesfrom the impact of families and schools, to larger economic and political forces beyond our immediate environments and control.
The meritocracy myth examines talent, attitude, work ethic, and character as elements of merit and evaluates the effect of nonmerit factors such as social status, race, heritage, and wealth on meritocracy. Choice mcnamee and miller explain that meritocracy is a myth and that there is no substitute for starting in in this third edition, they lay out proof while streamlining their narrative. Side effects of the meritocracy myth young 1958 examined the harsh side effects of meritocracy. Mcnamee and miller explain that meritocracy is a myth and that there is no substitute for starting in advance of others in life, and that being female or a minority definitely makes you start behind. Mcnamee, 9781442219823, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Fully revised and updated throughout, the second edition includes compelling new case studies, such as the impact of social and cultural capital in the cases of george w. In their first paragraph the authors explain that the idea of a meritocracy is central to the set of ideas that make up what is called the american dream. In america the rich keep getting richer, and the poor keep getting poorer.
The book examines talent, attitude, work ethic, and character as elements of merit and evaluates the effect of nonmerit factors such as family background, social connections, luck, market conditions, unequal educational. The authors cite data which shows that 20% of american households receive 50% of all available income and the lowest 20% of. The warrior woman, feminism, and cinema in the digital age. Race and the ideology of individualism nygaard notes. In a 2004 article called the meritocracy myth, scholars stephen j. A compelling book on an oftenoverlooked topic, the first edition was highly regarded and proved a useful examination. This book challenges the widely held american belief in meritocracy that people get out of the system what they put into it based predominately on individual. Buy a cheap copy of the meritocracy myth book by stephen j.
Miller, professors of sociology at the university of north carolinawilmington, challenge the meritocracy myth, or the ideology that proclaims where you end up in the socioeconomic hierarchy is a direct function of your own effort and abilities. Buy the meritocracy myth third by mcnamee, stephen j. The meritocracy myth examines talent, attitude, work ethic, and character as elements of merit, and evaluates the effect of nonmerit factors such as social status, race, heritage, and wealth on meritocracy. Mcnamee, 9781442219816, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Mcnamee and miller, the meritocracy myth flashcards. A compelling book on an oftenoverlooked topic, the meritocracy myth is ideal for. Bush and barack obama, and new material on current topics such.
The meritocracy myth challenges the widely held american belief in meritocracythat people get out of the system what they put into it based on individual merit. They examine the origins of the american dream, analyze the case for a meritbased system, and discuss the issue of inheritance the silver spoon. A compelling book on an oftenoverlooked topic, the meritocracy myth has become a classroom classic to introduce students to this. Chapters eight and nine have been combined into a comprehensive chapter about discrimination as a nonmerit.
Its writing was prompted by an amusing confrontation that occurred in one of my frosh composition classes last week. Stephen mcnamee and robert miller of the university of north carolina, argue in their book, the meritocracy myth that there is a serious gap between how people think our economic system works and how it actually works. For some, there is the erosion of the sense of selfworth for those at the bottom of society, as defined by the individual. A compelling book on an oftenoverlooked topic, first edition was highly regarded and. The meritocracy myth challenges the extensively held american perception in meritocracythat folks get out of the system what they put into it based mostly on particular person benefit. In this third edition, they lay out proof while streamlining their narrative. The meritocracy myth is a myth not because people of merit dont exist. When these people believe that their current status. Miller, professors of sociology at the university of north carolinawilmington, challenge the meritocracy myth, or the ideology that proclaims where you end up in the socioeconomic hierarchy is a direct function of your own. Please use this display as a guideline and modify as needed.
The book identifies a variety of factors that suppress, neutralize, or negate the effects of merit, creating nonmerit barriers to individual mobility. In america, you get out of the system what you put into it. Mcnamee, 9780742561687, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The meritocracy myth examines talent, attitude, work ethic, and character as. Mcnamee expertly explains how individuals are entangled in a web of forces that interact to shape their fortunesfrom the impact of families and schools, to. Start studying mcnamee and miller, the meritocracy myth. Share of total available household net worth, 2001 wealth group share of net worth 99100th percentile 32.
The third version has been revised and streamlined, with recent examples and up to date statistical info all through. The book then identifies various nonmerit factors that suppress, neutralize, or negate the effects of merit. Jul 18, 20 the meritocracy myth examines talent, attitude, work ethic, and character as elements of merit, and evaluates the effect of nonmerit factors such as social status, race, heritage, and wealth on meritocracy. The meritocracy myth challenges the widely held american belief in meritocracyocothat people get out of the system what they put into it based on individual merit. The meritocracy myth exposes the deceptive american rhetoric that hard work, talent and virtue are all that is necessary to make it to the top. Bush and barack obama, and new material on current topics. According to the ideology of the american dream, america is the land of limitless opportunity in which individuals can go as far as their own merit takes them. Mcnamee and miller 2009 define meritocracy as a social system in which individuals get ahead and earn rewards in direct proportion to their. Critiquing the american dream mcnamee and millers the. The third edition has been revised and streamlined, with fresh examples and updated statistical information throughout. University of north carolina at wilmington according to the ideology of the american dream, america is the land of limitless opportunity in which individuals can go as far as their own merit takes them. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
20 720 961 50 415 1505 37 780 1451 842 410 1348 215 1181 1471 697 1047 690 1252 1105 470 180 1081 1044 1334 1060 285 756 849 1116 925