An Encounter with Michael Sandel: "The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good?"

It is with immense pleasure that Sciences Po and CEVIPOF invite you to an encounter with Michael Sandel, world-renowned Professor of Political Philosophy at Harvard University, to discuss his book The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good? (La tyrannie du mérite, Albin Michel)

Following the enormous success of Justice: What’s the Right Thing To Do? (2017)  Professor Sandel now explores the central question of our time: What’s become of the common good? He argues that in order to overcome the various crises that are currently upending our world, we must rethink attitudes toward both success and failure that have accompanied globalization and rising inequality.

Professor Sandel’s presentation will be followed by comments from CEVIPOF discussants Annabelle Lever and Janie Pélabay and finally by an open discussion with the audience present. 

Professor Sandel will be happy to sign copies of his book after the session has ended.

The conference will be held in English.

Tuesday May 21st , 2024 - 5pm to 7pm

Amphithéâtre Jacques Chapsal

27, rue Saint-Guillaume, 75007 Paris

Participation is free but registration is required: Please register here

The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good?

These are dangerous times for democracy. We live in an age of winners and losers, where the odds are stacked in favor of the already fortunate. Stalled social mobility and entrenched inequality give the lie to the American credo that "you can make it if you try". The consequence is a brew of anger and frustration that has fueled populist protest and extreme polarization. This, in turn, has led to a deep sense of distrust in both government and our fellow citizens - leaving us morally unprepared to face the profound challenges of our time.

Professor Sandel shows the hubris a meritocracy generates among the winners and the harsh judgement it imposes on those left behind. He then traces the dire consequences of such attitudes across a broad swathe of American life. He offers an alternative way of thinking about success that is more attentive to the role of luck in human affairs, more conducive to an ethics of humility and solidarity, and more affirming of the dignity of work. The Tyranny of Merit points us toward a hopeful vision of a new politics based on the common good.