Anwar truth bombed meritocracy, claims merit won’t eradicate inequality
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
PUTRAJAYA – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dropped a sobering truth bomb on proponents espousing for meritocracy in Malaysia; a bitter pill explaining how merit may not be the ultimate cure-all against inequality.
While admitting that such concept is indeed noble and idealistic, in reality however, the PKR president reasoned, there is no fair competition, and that meritocracy still imposes difficulties on those less fortunate.
“The American literary critic, John Gardner remarked: ‘Those who saw the beauty of meritocracy easily overlooked the pain involved for those who lacked the necessary ability’,” said Anwar in his policy speech at PKR’s 17th Annual Congress last night.
To further underscore how meritocracy could breed more inequality, Anwar also cited the remark from a philosophy professor at Harvard, Michael Sandel in the latter’s book, ‘The Tyranny of Merit.’
“He stated that merit does not reduce inequality; it reconfigures inequality to align with ability. But this reconfiguration creates a presumption that people get what they deserve.
“And this presumption deepens the gap between the rich and poor. This is what is described as the moral arbitrariness and manifest unfairness resulting from the neglect of existing inequalities in society.
“While recognising the need to acknowledge merit, the issue of equal opportunities should not be sidelined,” said Anwar.
Nonetheless, Anwar assured Malaysians that the government will take decisive action to ensure justice for all through the reform of the education system and will strive to make every effort to expand and enhance the quality of Malaysia’s education.
Inequality arising from people who get super rich simply on the basis on Who They Know and their superficial race and religion, is exactly why we need opportunity based on merit.
ReplyDeleteOf course a society has to recognise that merit is not everything, but simply setting aside merit is a recipe for the downfall of the society .
Someone wrote.. when the enemy is shooting bullets and shells at you, the bullets don't care how good your affirmative action has been, how well you have been taking care of the less fortunate.
ReplyDeleteWhat does make a difference is whether your officers and Sergeants have been selected from the best ability.
Stop envying Singapore and learn how they worked it out.
Wow…
ReplyDeleteSuch twisted arguments, from manmanlai & those mind-tweaking professors!
‘Those who saw the beauty of meritocracy easily overlooked the pain involved for those who lacked the necessary ability’
"merit does not reduce inequality; it reconfigures inequality to align with ability"
See what had been tweaked sideways?
Meritocracy DOESN'T necessary produce inequality. But it DOES given inequality a fight IFF those selected under meritocracy serve their duties in total HONESTY.
Meritocracy DOESN'T side with CLASS. It exhibits itself when the person involved is willing to work harder to overcome all challenging obsticles along the way to success.
Yet most people who oppose meritocracy inherently claim that the rich have more means & thus ability to achieve personal success.
Is it?
Or just pure flowery fallacy!
Meritocracy ISN'T a given with inborn ability or material inheritance. One has to work & struggle hard in order to claim the tag of merit - usually in the form of honorary title.
Honorary titles bought with money & or connections have NOTHING to do with meritocracy, such ss those happened within Bolihland.
Perhaps, it's exactly the prevalence of these kangkong meritocracy that cultivated such thinking within these people!