The Myth of Meritocracy : Maintaing the System of Oppression

A white picket fence, a beautiful home, and a chance at a life of opportunity, has become the definition of the American dream. According to the ideology of the American Dream, America is the land of limitless opportunity in which individuals can go as far as their own merit takes them. In contrary, the myth of meritocracy explains why the dream is not universal. The definition of meritocracy means, societies elites have risen to power and prestige due to their ability and talents rather than class privilege or wealth. However, the real world does not hold true success based on merit. The myth of meritocracy functions to help maintain systems of oppression in various ways including, racism, sexism, prejudice, and ideologies we have as people. Dominant culture dictates people who should have opportunity for advancement in society, therefore oppressing the minority or unwanted groups. The myth of meritocracy has become an extremely important issue in our society because of the constant chokehold it has placed on our minority groups, and has diminished hope of an equal chance at life from the people within the minority.

            Ideologies are everywhere in our society and constantly reshape our minds dictating our opinions. Major institutions within our society, work together to support and maintain one another.  Examples of institutions include, family, marriage, the economy, government, mass media, military, and many more. Institutions create ideas and beliefs, which serve to justify and support the interests of a particular group or organizations. Therefore, institutions have distorted societies way of thinking. These ideas and values have created a way of thinking, which maintains a system of oppression. “The root of the word “oppression” is the element of “press. Presses are used to mold things or flatten them or reduce them in bulk, sometimes to reduce them by squeezing out the gases or liquids in them.” (Frye Pg. 68)  This particular quote is telling of the myth of meritocracy, and the affliction it places on the underprivileged individuals in our country. Shaw also provides examples of institutionalized oppression from the media aspect of society. For instance, stereotypes have been created to maintain the system of oppression. The association of having blonde hair and being less intelligent, Asian Americans seen as passive aggressive, while African Americans are viewed as pushy and angry. Another example includes gendered messages, coming from the institution of religion. “Traditional religious texts tells stories that convey important messages about moral though and behavior as well as women’s place in society.”(Shaw, Pg. 54”) Religious stories reinforce sets of values and beliefs, which support different behaviors for women and men, and also that women should be second-tier to men. Oppression continues to exist because of the bootstraps it places on minorities in our society, limiting economic advancement or chances for success. Therefore, negative ideologies have allowed the system of oppression to sustain itself, most importantly maintain the values of the dominant culture.

            Our civilization has been socialized to believe advancement within society is based on merit. The term meritocracy explains advancement within society is solely based on individual talent or achievement.  However, the myth of meritocracy, has been created by dominant to maintain the system of oppression . Dominant culture is a culture that is most powerful, widespread, or influential, within a social or political entity in which multiple cultures are presented. Dominant cultures receive the most support, respect, and prestige in major institutions, therefore allowing them to maintain dominance amongst those who are not apart of the dominant group. Dominant cultures are perceived in society as the standard by which other cultures in society are judged. Those who are privileged or seen as the norm in society are given access to the possibilities of major success, however the underprivileged are constantly striving to meet the standards of the dominant culture. A dominant culture need not be the culture of the majority people; it is simply the culture of the group in the society that has gained enough power to define cultural frame book.  Today, and throughout history, dominant culture has been driven by the ideology of the white male. White males control major institutions, as well as determine beliefs and values system of society. White skin alone allows a person to gain privilege in society because dominant culture commends it. However, many whites do not realize nor understand the privileges they have. In many cases, when asked about white privilege, many whites deny the thought of having an edge on the rest of societies minority cultures. Dominant cultures create reasons for injustices, such as many feel as if they have earned their status in society by working harder than others. Dominant culture, the myth of meritocracy, and white privilege, are connected in making sure the system of oppression stays in place. Those within the dominant culture depend on the myth of meritocracy. A society based solely on achievement or ability, would be damaging to the dominant culture. Therefore, the idea of human beings gaining the possibility of living a life based on merit could lead to the end of the system of oppression and dominance. “Obliviousness about white advantage, like obliviousness about male advantage, is kept strongly inculturated in the United States so as to maintain the myth of meritocracy, the myth that democratic choice is equally available to all.”(McIntosh. Pg.81) Minorities are then lead to believe that working hard will always lead to higher status, however in reality only a small amount of people live the dream of success at the hands of the dominant culture.

            The myth of meritocracy continues to promote the story of the “American Dream” and the “rags to riches” lifestyle in which we can all achieve our goals. However, this story has not held true to the millions of underprivileged in society. The myth of meritocracy has created and sustained a system of oppression. The millions suffering from the myth include underprivileged minorities and cultures, such as African Americans, Hispanics, women, and countless other groups. “White skin” in the United States is a privilege because it can open many doors for those within the dominant culture. The problem that we face is that opportunities are not equally distributed, nor allotted solely by meritocratic criteria. For example, a women could achieve a master’s degree from a prestigious university, however not receive the respect from society. Unequal treatment, inadequate pay, and unjust criticisms, are a few of the harsh realities women and minorities face. Also, another problem is the dominant cultures lack of understanding of the underprivileged society. Lack of experience facing prejudice, racism, sexism, or discrimination, has kept the dominant culture closed off to the reality of oppression.  Also, the lack of understanding to not have services such as, healthcare and education. Dominant culture has taken services such as these for granted, as the underprivileged are dying in efforts to obtain them. We have made services such as healthcare and education a privileged, instead of a basic human right. Without a renewal in the way success is granted, the myth of meritocracy will exist as long as this particular thinking remains the norm for society.

The myth of meritocracy only exists to reinforce the system of oppression in attempts to crush the dreams and aspirations of the millions of underprivileged, uncared for, and undesired cultures in our society. The myth of meritocracy is a blatant lie, a lie that is staring the creators of the myth directly in their face. However, the dominant culture chooses to be blind as well, deny the fact that the myth of meritocracy is systematically destroying the dreams of many people, including our most the minds of the new generation. Those who remained caged by the system have conformed to dominant culture, and have taken a back seat in life. Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to help alleviate the many issues the oppressed face brought on by the system of oppression. First, current forms of discrimination should be dramatically reduced, better yet eliminated. Second, the wealthy should be encouraged more to redistribute greater amounts of their accumulated wealth, in order to help serve the underprivileged in our society more. Third, the tax system should be redesigned into a progressive tax system. Lastly, more government resources should be allotted to those who need it most, and also everyone should have equal access to an education that would allow greater chance at success. However, those of the dominant culture; the oppressors of society, could not maintain their dominance over the millions they continue harm. The “American Dream” is built on winners and losers, and the losers are those who do not fit the norms, values, or beliefs of the dominant culture. Therefore, they remain second-class citizens, constantly striving to meet the standards of those of the oppressor. 

Sources : 

Women's Voices, Feminist Visions: Classic and Contemporary Readings

Susan Shaw and Janet Lee

The Current State of America : Vol 1

21st Century Sociology : The Current State of America

Vol 1

Recently, sociological theorists such as Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Erving Goffman, as well as Max Weber, all have revamped my view of the current state of America. The question I believe most Americans ask is this, "where did the current state of America originate from." While digging deep into the informative research of the previous theorists I've mentioned, the reasons why we are where we are today are plentiful. As Max Weber famously created the concept of formal rationalization taking over America, American's and other capitalist countries around the world have developed a "means to end" mindset. This mindset of course does not consider our core values as individuals, it however solely realizes on the individuals possibility of success in the economic world. Weber also explains formal rationalization will lead to disenchantment, which is the loss of the mystery and wonder of the world. Previous to Webers theory of disenchantment, Karl Marx stated that working class would rise and lead the fight to a revolt against the capitalist. Similarly to Weber, Marx explains the worker experiences the loss of the individual, as well as the loss of lust for life it's self. Alienation is also a major part of Marx's theory, this explaining that the individual will become machine like, and will become foreign to the objects that he or she is created on a daily basis. The work pours his soul in to the commodity he is creating for a living, and has no real personal touch nor opinion on how the commodity is made. The capitalist owner never sees the mode of production, nor even attempts to create the commodity he makes millions of dollars on. The worker created the product, however does not own the product. The only possession of a worker is their ability to work.

In the 21st century, a Wal-Mart employee, most likely can only afford to shop in the Wal-Mart he or she works in. This is because the capitalist owner decides the wages of the worker, however the worker does not complain of the wage very much, because of their need of the job for survival. The Wal-Mart employee could care less about the product he or she is selling, maintaing, or advertising. This is simply because of alienation. Alienation allows the capitalist system to maintain its self, while the capitalist attempts to push the worker to strive for excellence by possibly giving them a 10 cent raise. The Wal-Mart theory, is a excellent example of the Current State of America, and possibly the reason for people to ponder upon the question, as well as taking action to confront these pressing issues in our society. Therefore, the theory of formal rationalization has taken over society, and has maintained its dominance in the 21st century.