Rethinking Success: What The Tyranny of Merit Can Teach Us About Care and the Common Good
In today’s world, we are often told that success is something we “earn.” If we work hard enough, study hard enough, and hustle enough, then whatever rewards come our way are fully deserved. And if we don’t “make it”? Well, then it must be our fault.
But is that really the whole truth?
Michael J. Sandel’s powerful book, The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good?, invites us to pause and reflect. He argues that the story we tell ourselves about meritocracy—about a fair system that simply rewards talent and effort—has become a trap.
The Problem With Meritocracy
On the surface, meritocracy sounds good. Who doesn’t want a society where the best rise to the top? But Sandel shows how this way of thinking has a dark side:
Winners and Losers: If success is seen as purely earned, then failure is treated as deserved. This creates resentment and shame for those left behind.
Hubris at the Top: Those who succeed may come to believe they did it all on their own—forgetting the role of luck, timing, community, and opportunity.
Deep Division: The narrative of meritocracy feeds polarization, with society split between the “winners” (credentialed, elite, powerful) and the “losers” (working people who feel invisible and disrespected) while leaving behind those that can’t navigate the current systems successfully
This isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a collective one. Sandel shows how the tyranny of merit has fueled anger, disconnection, and political upheaval.
A Call Back to the Common Good
Instead of asking only who deserves what, Sandel challenges us to ask a deeper question: What do we owe to one another as human beings sharing a world?
He suggests:
Cultivating humility about success, remembering that talent and opportunity are not equally distributed.
Valuing all forms of work, not just those with elite credentials.
Building policies and communities that prioritize dignity, solidarity, and care over individual status.
At loveplanetearth, this resonates deeply with our mission. We believe in re-centering love, empathy, and community in how we organize our societies. Instead of a race where some get medals and others are blamed for stumbling, we can walk together, lifting one another up.
Why This Matters Now
When we measure human worth only by achievement, we lose sight of our shared humanity. The truth is: none of us succeed alone. Every life is shaped by countless unseen supports—parents, teachers, neighbors, infrastructure, health, and even the randomness of birth and history.
Recognizing this does not diminish effort—it deepens gratitude, compassion, and our commitment to ensure that everyone has the chance to flourish.
📖 If you’d like to dive deeper into Sandel’s insights, you can find his book here: The Tyranny of Merit
🧩 At loveplanetearth, every person’s dignity is respected, success belongs to all of us, and love wins.
