Discussione sulla Meritocrazia = Bufala

What is meritocracy? And why does everyone, both on the right and the left, keep invoking it as the solution to all problems? Perhaps because it is in the name of meritocracy that rights are being erased, the welfare state dismantled, and dissent limited? In fact, the myth of meritocracy turns social inequalities into the fault of the individual, who did not try hard enough, did not work hard, and is clearly a freeloader. This is because, for meritocracy, differences in starting conditions are irrelevant, supposedly overcome with some effort and a bit of sacrifice, which, unsurprisingly, are only demanded of those lower down in the social hierarchy. But where does the concept of meritocracy originate and how does it become established? And what are its consequences today on public institutions, such as universities? We discussed this with Salvatore Cingari, full professor of History of Political Thought at the University for Foreigners of Perugia and author of the book “Meritocrazia” (Ediesse, 2020), and with Francesco Sylos Labini, physicist and research director at the Enrico Fermi Research Center in Rome, founder of the blog “Return on Academic Research and School” (Roars) and co-author of the book “Researchers Don’t Grow on Trees” (Laterza, 2010).  VIDEO:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5WEtVivD_A