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Meritocracy and inequality – exploring a complex relationship

Publication date: 30.12.2022

Art of Healing, Volume 37 (2022), Volume 37, Issue 2, pp. 13 - 22

https://doi.org/10.4467/18982026SZL.22.009.16670

Authors

,
Maurits Dekkers
Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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,
Max Erkelenz
Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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,
Lyra Hoeben
Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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,
Charlotte Lenhard
Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
All publications →
Stavroula Kalaitzi
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Indiana University, Bloomington Indiana USA
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2584-2023 Orcid
All publications →

Titles

Meritocracy and inequality – exploring a complex relationship

Abstract

Merytokracja i nierówności – badanie złożonej relacji

Ostatnie badania sugerują, że problem nierówności wydaje sięlegitymizowany przez postawy merytokratyczne. Choćtwierdzi się, że merytokracja uzasadnia nierówności społeczno-ekonomiczne poprzez definiowanie indywidualnych osiągnięći wysiłków jako przyczyn nierówności, często nie dostrzega się, jak działająmechanizmy leżące u jej podstaw. W niniejszym opracowaniu badano, jak merytokracja podtrzymuje nierówności. W swojej mieszanej, sekwencyjnej konstrukcji wyjaśniającej najpierw opiera sięna danych ilościowych pochodzących z kwestionariusza, stwierdzając znacząco pozytywnąi nieelastycznąrelacjęmiędzy akceptacjąnierówności a przekonaniami merytokratycznymi.

Następnie przeprowadzono jakościowy, systematyczny przegląd literatury, sugerując, że związek między merytokracjąa nierównościąmoże byćbardziej okrężny, niżwcześniej zakładano. Ponadto wyniki sugerują, że merytokratyczne postawy ludzi zależąbardziej od ich kontekstu społecznego niżod ich aprobaty dla merytokracji. 

ABSTRAcT 

Recent studies have suggested that the inequality problem seems to be legitimated by meritocratic attitudes. Whilst it is argued that meritocracy justifies socio-economic inequalities by defining individual achievements and efforts as causes for inequality, it is often overlooked how underlying mechanisms work. This study investigates how meritocracy sustains inequalities. In its mixed methods explanatory sequential design, it first builds on quantitative data from an International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) questionnaire, finding a significantly positive and inelastic relationship between inequality acceptance and meritocratic beliefs. Subsequently, a qualitative systematic literature review is conducted, suggesting that the relationship between meritocracy and inequality may be more circular than previously assumed. Furthermore, the results suggest that people’s meritocratic attitudes depend more on their social context than on their endorsement of meritocracy.

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Information

Information: Art of Healing, Volume 37 (2022), Volume 37, Issue 2, pp. 13 - 22

Article type: Original article

Titles:

Polish:
Meritocracy and inequality – exploring a complex relationship
English:

Meritocracy and inequality – exploring a complex relationship

Authors

Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2584-2023

Stavroula Kalaitzi
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Indiana University, Bloomington Indiana USA
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2584-2023 Orcid
All publications →

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

Indiana University, Bloomington Indiana USA

Published at: 30.12.2022

Received at: 02.04.2022

Accepted at: 19.09.2022

Article status: Open

Licence: CC BY  licence icon

Percentage share of authors:

Maurits Dekkers (Author) - 20%
Max Erkelenz (Author) - 20%
Lyra Hoeben (Author) - 20%
Charlotte Lenhard (Author) - 20%
Stavroula Kalaitzi (Author) - 20%

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Publication languages:

English