The Tyranny of Merit : Whats Become of the Common Good? 4.21 (6,521 ratings by Goodreads) Paperback English By (author) Michael J. Sandel Categories: 21st Century History: From C 2000 - Social & Political Philosophy Society & Social Sciences Social Discrimination Social Classes Political Science & Theory Political Structures: Democracy A TLS, GUARDIAN AND NEW STATESMAN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020 The new bestseller from the acclaimed author of Justice and one of the worlds most popular philosophers "Astute, insightful, and empathetic...A crucial book for this moment" Tara Westover, author of Educated These are dangerous times for democracy. We live in an age of winners and losers, where the odds are stacked in favour of the already fortunate. Stalled social mobility and entrenched inequality give the lie to the promise that "you can make it if you try". 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. Michael J. 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. Sandel highlights the hubris a meritocracy generates among the winners and the harsh judgement it imposes on those left behind. 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. Product details Format Paperback | 288 pages Dimensions 129 x 198 x 17mm | 213g Publication date 14 Sep 2021 Publisher Penguin Books Ltd Publication City/Country London, United Kingdom Language English 13 9780141991177 Bestsellers rank 2,504