What’s a meritocracy society? Is the world a fair and just place?
Jeffrey Pfeffer believes that many people don’t seek out power (or actively avoid it) because they think that the world is a meritocracy, which means it’s a fair place. Therefore, they believe that if they work hard, follow the rules, and perhaps do a good deed from time to time, then they’ll be rewarded with safety and prosperity.
Find out why the world isn’t as fair as some people might think it is.
You Need Power Because the World Is Not Fair
Pfeffer says the idea of a meritocracy society is a myth—the world is actually brutal and unfair. People don’t get what they deserve; they only get what they can take for themselves, or what more powerful people force upon them.
(Shortform note: The belief in fairness that Pfeffer discusses here is called the just-world phenomenon, otherwise known as the just-world hypothesis or just-world fallacy. Psychologists say that this belief is a coping mechanism that people use to understand the world and come to terms with injustice (essentially, by assuming that whatever happened must have actually been just). As a result, the just-world phenomenon often leads to people blaming themselves for their own hardships, believing that their situations must be the result of personal mistakes or moral failings.)
The Myth of Meritocracy
A common offshoot of the just-world fallacy is the false belief in meritocracy. A meritocracy is a system where advancement and rewards are based on individual merit, job performance, and hard work. People who believe in meritocracy often stop themselves from seeking positions of influence. This is because they think their current status—whatever it may be—-reflects their true worth and capabilities. In other words, they believe that the world is giving them what they deserve, and therefore they must lack the ability to do better.
While someone who isn’t already successful or powerful is likely to conclude that they simply don’t deserve to be, the truth is that factors like systemic barriers, connections, and sheer luck shape people’s opportunities much more than effort and ability do—the question of what they “deserve” doesn’t come into play at all.
Therefore, Pfeffer urges you to stop worrying about whether you deserve to have power, or if you’ve earned the right to wield it. Instead, accept that the world isn’t fair and never has been, and resolve to create the best life possible for yourself by building as much power as you can.
| Belief in Meritocracy Drives the Cycle of Poverty As Pfeffer says, the world is inherently unfair; systemic factors and starting conditions have enormous impacts on how people live, despite people having no control over those things. However, people who believe in meritocracy focus on individual responsibility for situations (their own and others’), instead of recognizing those unfair conditions. As sociologist Matthew Desmond explains in Evicted, this misguided focus on individuals also prevents people from coming together to support one another and fight to improve flawed systems. For example, when someone born into poverty struggles to access quality education, stable housing, or reliable transportation—all of which impact job prospects and economic mobility—those who believe in meritocracy will dismiss these very real poverty traps by blaming the individual for not “working harder” or “making better choices,” thereby ignoring the need for systemic change. |
