Political Meritocracy and Populism

Name: Political Meritocracy and Populism
Brand: Taylor & Francis

Taylor & Francis

Political Meritocracy and PopulismCure or Curse?\nAuthor(s): Mark Chou, Benjamin Moffitt, Octavia Bryant\nFormat: Paperback\nPublisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd, United Kingdom\nImprint: Routledge\nISBN-13: 9781032239088, 978-1032239088\nSynopsis\nOffering 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?\n\nExploring this puzzle, the authors argue that political meritocracies are simultaneously immune and susceptible to populism. The book maintains that political meritocracys focus on the intellect, social skills, and most importantly virtue of political leaders can reduce the likelihood of populist actors rising to power; that meritocracys promise of upward mobility for the masses can work against elitis.