The menace of meritocracy: unmasking inequality in the creative and cultural industries

A review article exploring some of the public policy problems associated with inequality in the creative and cultural industries. It does this in dialogue with the authors of published material under consideration: four academics (Jo Littler; Orian Brook, Dave O’Brien and Mark Taylor), and an un-named copywriting team assembled by Arts Council England. It tries to place their work in wider context. Michael Young’s 1958 satirical novel The Rise of the Meritocracy 1870-2033 is a reference point throughout, supplying sociological insight and political grit.