Political Meritocracy and Populism

Cure or Curse?

Mark Chou, Benjamin Moffitt, Octavia Bryant

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Hardback

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English

Routledge
17 December 2019

Politics & government; Political structure & processes; Political leaders & leadership; Political parties; Revolutionary groups & movements

Series: Routledge Studies in Democratic Crisis

Offering the first in-depth analysis of the relationship between populism and political meritocracy, this book asks why states with meritocratic systems such as Singapore and China have not faced the populist challenge to the extent that liberal-democratic states have. Is political meritocracy immune to populism? Or does it fan its flames?

Exploring this puzzle, the authors argue that political meritocracies are simultaneously immune and susceptible to populism. The book maintains that political meritocracy’s focus on the intellect, social skills, and most importantly virtue of political leaders can reduce the likelihood of populist actors rising to power; that meritocracy’s promise of upward mobility for the masses can work against elitism; and that rule by the ‘meritorious’ can help avoid crises, diminishing the political opening for populism. However, it also shows that meritocracy does little to eliminate grievances around political, cultural, and social inequality, instead entrenching a hierarchy – an allegedly ‘just’ one. The book ultimately argues that the more established the system of political meritocracy becomes, the more it opens the door to populist resentment and revolt.

Pitched primarily to scholars and postgraduate students in political theory, comparative politics, Asian studies, and political sociology, this book fills an important scholarly gap.

By: Mark Chou, Benjamin Moffitt, Octavia Bryant
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 138mm,
Weight: 320g
ISBN: 9780367271022
ISBN 10: 0367271028
Series: Routledge Studies in Democratic Crisis
Pages: 80
Publication Date: 17 December 2019
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Mark Chou is Associate Professor of Politics at the National School of Arts, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia. Benjamin Moffitt is Senior Lecturer in Politics at the National School of Arts, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia. Octavia Bryant is a Doctoral Candidate in Politics at the National School of Arts, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.