Description
Book SynopsisThis book focuses on public opinion on issues related to the theory of meritocracy. It employs survey data from a variety of sources in an attempt to understand public sentiments, highlighting the contradictory nature of American public opinion and questioning the belief that Americans fully embrace the meritocratic ethos.
Trade ReviewHow can Americans "tolerate such unmeritocratic reality," given that they claim to value meritocracy? In Meritocracy and Americans' Views on Distributive Justice , Richard T. Longoria sets out to analyze Americans' contradictory relationship to the meritocratic ethos.... the project Longoria undertakes does succeed in calling attention to Americans' contradictory sentiments about meritocratic ideals. * Political Science Quarterly, Winter 2009-10 *
In this a very readable and compelling book, Richard Longoria vividly exposes the dilemma of the contradictory public attitudes and beliefs about meritocracy that Americans hold and what this means for 'public' policy and the prospect for American democracy. -- Stephen J. McNamee, professor of Sociology, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Table of Contents1 Table of Contents 2 List of Tables 3 Preface 4 Acknowledgments Chapter 5 1. What is Meritocracy? Chapter 6 2. Understanding Public Opinion and the Philosophical Debate Chapter 7 3. Popular Ideas Concerning Meritocracy Chapter 8 4. Meritocracy Revealed: The Case of Inheritance and Its Taxation Chapter 9 5. Meritocracy Revealed: The Case of Affirmative Action Chapter 10 6. The Consequences for American Democracy Chapter 11 7. Conclusions 12 Bibliography
