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**ThzinChang** · 07-07-2008, 05:50 AM

Native inhabitants aside, those who settled in the United States over the last 400 years left the warring countries of Europe for various reasons, some necessary - others more romantic in nature.

In society today, what chance does a person of the most modest background have of being part of society - participating to the level that he or she really wants?

Its a debate that is relevant today, at a time of relative prosperity, as it was 100 years ago.

From a not so recent article in the Economist I found:

Meritocracy in America
Faltering meritocracy in America

Dec 29th 2004
From The Economist print edition
THE United States likes to think of itself as the very embodiment of meritocracy: a country where people are judged on their individual abilities rather than their family connections. The original colonies were settled by refugees from a Europe in which the restrictions on social mobility were woven into the fabric of the state, and the American revolution was partly a revolt against feudalism. From the outset, Americans believed that equality of opportunity gave them an edge over the Old World, freeing them from debilitating snobberies and at the same time enabling everyone to benefit from the abilities of the entire population. They still do.
To be sure, America has often betrayed its fine ideals. The Founding Fathers did not admit women or blacks to their meritocratic republic. The country's elites have repeatedly flirted with the aristocratic principle, whether among the brahmins of Boston or, more flagrantly, the rural ruling class in the South. Yet America has repeatedly succeeded in living up to its best self, and today most Americans believe that their country still does a reasonable job of providing opportunities for everybody, including blacks and women. In Europe, majorities of people in every country except Britain, the Czech Republic and Slovakia believe that forces beyond their personal control determine their success. In America only 32% take such a fatalistic view.…"

What is the true nature of the "US Meritocracy"?

07-07-2008, 05:50 AM	#1
ThzinChang Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 508 Senior Member	Social Mobility in a Meritocracy Native inhabitants aside, those who settled in the United States over the last 400 years left the warring countries of Europe for various reasons, some necessary - others more romantic in nature. In society today, what chance does a person of the most modest background have of being part of society - participating to the level that he or she really wants? Its a debate that is relevant today, at a time of relative prosperity, as it was 100 years ago. From a not so recent article in the Economist I found: Meritocracy in America Faltering meritocracy in America Dec 29th 2004 From The Economist print edition THE United States likes to think of itself as the very embodiment of meritocracy: a country where people are judged on their individual abilities rather than their family connections. The original colonies were settled by refugees from a Europe in which the restrictions on social mobility were woven into the fabric of the state, and the American revolution was partly a revolt against feudalism. From the outset, Americans believed that equality of opportunity gave them an edge over the Old World, freeing them from debilitating snobberies and at the same time enabling everyone to benefit from the abilities of the entire population. They still do. To be sure, America has often betrayed its fine ideals. The Founding Fathers did not admit women or blacks to their meritocratic republic. The country's elites have repeatedly flirted with the aristocratic principle, whether among the brahmins of Boston or, more flagrantly, the rural ruling class in the South. Yet America has repeatedly succeeded in living up to its best self, and today most Americans believe that their country still does a reasonable job of providing opportunities for everybody, including blacks and women. In Europe, majorities of people in every country except Britain, the Czech Republic and Slovakia believe that forces beyond their personal control determine their success. In America only 32% take such a fatalistic view.…" What is the true nature of the "US Meritocracy"?
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