"The liberal economic and social order rests on winnowing those who flourish under its unbounded anti-culture from those who either lack the requisite economic skills or refuse to be caught up in the 'race to the top,' or both. This separation is both economic and social. The losers don't have money, and they have no social capital. This leads to resentment."
"The winners think they deserve the money and social capital they get, seeing it as the reward for their superiority. That breeds hubris and disrespect for the losers. The two groups despise each other, leading to political and social turmoil."
Deneen argues that liberalism systematically breaks down social bonds and institutions connecting people. He identifies five areas where liberalism creates separation: meritocracy, racism, progress, nation, and religion. Regarding meritocracy, the liberal system divides society into winners who flourish economically and socially, and losers who lack requisite skills or reject competitive advancement. Winners develop hubris, believing their success reflects superiority, while losers accumulate resentment over their exclusion. This mutual contempt between groups generates political and social turmoil. Sandel proposes addressing meritocratic separation through lottery-based university admissions from qualified candidates, reducing the perception that success reflects inherent merit.
#liberalism-and-social-division #meritocracy-critique #economic-inequality #social-resentment #post-liberal-alternatives
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