Whither Meritocracy?

Meritocracy, while commanding broad public assent, remains a focal point of policy debates and scholarly controversies. Culminating into a special issue of the Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science that will explore both the positive and normative dimensions of meritocracy, the papers presented at this conference will address questions ranging from the meaning of meritocracy to the ethical justifications for its implementation, the degree to which various socioeconomic outcomes are meritocratic, and whether the policies designed to implement meritocratic objectives actually achieve their aims.

While debates on meritocracy are often prominent in the United States, advocates and critics alike frequently fail to engage with the idea—both as it is perceived and as it is practiced—in different societies and cultures. This special issue will offer a comparative understanding of how the concept of meritocracy varies across societies that do not share the individualistic orientation of the Western world, featuring the work of scholars focusing on the United States, as well as on Africa, China, France, India, and Latin America.  

Participation is by invitation only.