Meritocracy

Catalog description

First we will discuss the role of merit in politics. In a democracy, the most popular candidate wins. Often this is not the most competent candidate. Is that a problem? Could we justifiably constrain the democratic process in order to get more meritorious people in government? What are the theoretical limitations, and the benefits, of democracy? Second, we will consider how wealth and income should be distributed. In a meritocracy, citizens are not guaranteed equal prosperity, but they are guaranteed an equal opportunity to pursue prosperity. How efficient is such a society? And how just?