What does this research mean for the field?

The hubris of the meritocratic system, which divides society into winners and losers, stems from its roots in bureaucracy and is grounded in a rationalized myth. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine how the concept of meritocracy evolved from an idealized vision of fair social mobility into a rationalized bureaucratic myth that fosters systemic inequality and hubris.

September 8, 2026Administration & Society

Understanding Meritocracy: From an Imagination of ‘Ideal’ to Producing ‘Myth’ and Beyond

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Authors

AJAkhil Jain NMNidhi Mishra RKRajalaxmi Kamath

Discussion

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Overview

Theoretical analysis reveals bureaucratic roots driving meritocratic hubris in modern societies, suggesting meritocracy functions as a rationalized myth rather than an egalitarian ideal.

Key Points

To examine how the concept of meritocracy evolved from an idealized vision of fair social mobility into a rationalized bureaucratic myth that fosters systemic inequality and hubris.
Critical conceptual analysis evaluating foundational sociological perspectives on meritocracy, notably Michael Young's satire and Michael Sandel's critique of meritocratic hubris.
Theoretical examination of institutional mechanisms, focusing on how intelligence testing, educational monitoring, and bureaucratic structures shape social stratification.
Highlights that meritocratic frameworks fail to neutralize the influence of socioeconomic class, family background, race, and religion.
Identifies that modern meritocratic systems systematically generate distinct classes of winners and losers, cultivating institutional hubris among elite achievers.
Demonstrates that meritocracy functions primarily as a rationalized myth originating from bureaucratic imperatives rather than genuine egalitarian opportunity.

Cite This Study

Jain et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fd82058e84d0ff5b476a3 https://doi.org/10.1177/00953997261480074

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September 8, 2026Administration & Society

Understanding Meritocracy: From an Imagination of ‘Ideal’ to Producing ‘Myth’ and Beyond

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

AJAkhil Jain NMNidhi Mishra RKRajalaxmi Kamath

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Theoretical analysis reveals bureaucratic roots driving meritocratic hubris in modern societies, suggesting meritocracy functions as a rationalized myth rather than an egalitarian ideal.

Key Points

To examine how the concept of meritocracy evolved from an idealized vision of fair social mobility into a rationalized bureaucratic myth that fosters systemic inequality and hubris.
Critical conceptual analysis evaluating foundational sociological perspectives on meritocracy, notably Michael Young's satire and Michael Sandel's critique of meritocratic hubris.
Theoretical examination of institutional mechanisms, focusing on how intelligence testing, educational monitoring, and bureaucratic structures shape social stratification.
Highlights that meritocratic frameworks fail to neutralize the influence of socioeconomic class, family background, race, and religion.
Identifies that modern meritocratic systems systematically generate distinct classes of winners and losers, cultivating institutional hubris among elite achievers.
Demonstrates that meritocracy functions primarily as a rationalized myth originating from bureaucratic imperatives rather than genuine egalitarian opportunity.

Cite This Study

Jain et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fd82058e84d0ff5b476a3 https://doi.org/10.1177/00953997261480074

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