Meritocracy: Sociology and American Dream Essay

Peter Saunders (1990, 1996) has been wizard of the most plainspoken critics of the British tradition of social mobility research encompassing studies such as those done by Glass and Goldthorpe. According to Saunders, Britian is a true meritocracy because rewards go natur each(prenominal)(prenominal)y to those who are best able to perform and achieve. In his view, talent and effort are the key factors in occupational success, not manakin background.Saunders uses empirical data from the National Child Development Study to commemorate that children who are bright and hard-working will succeed regardless of the social advantages or disadvantages they may experience. In his estimation, Britain may be an unequal society, but it is a fair one. In response to such claims, Richard Breen and John Goldthorpe criticize Saunders on both theoretical and methodological grounds. The authors conclude that mortal merit is sure a contributing factor in dterminng individuals secernate positions , but that division of origin remains a powerful influence.According to Breen and Goldthorpe, children from disadvantaged essential show more merit that those who are advantaged to acquire similar class positions. Page 303 Sociology quaternary edition by Anthony Giddens 2001 Blackwell Publishing ltd Oxford uk Meritiocracy A agreement in which social positions are filled on the basis of individual merit and achievement, rather than ascribed criteria such as inherited wealth, sex or social background. Pg 693 Schools and Society info in blue bookIf the Ameri pot Dream of meritocracy is our countrys promise, public reproduction is what ensures that promise to all children. study more than any institution is the systems air of making certain that achievement is independently earned, not tied to ones background. Pg 274 The American Dream does not guarantee that everyone will harbor it in America but it presumes that despite inequalities in their circumstances each individual will have a fair chance, an equal prospect and no one will be unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged. devoted that we are born into different families with very different backgrounds, the system moldiness provide some way to balance our opportunities. A major part of the institution of education is to do just that it is supposed to level break through what is an initially uneven playing field. Pg 274 Education was viewed as the Great symmetry making the American Dream real, and also as the key to the dream.Education provides at least in theory a clear path to follow ifi you work hard enough in school, then you can be anything, do anything, rise up to any level you choose. Pg 274 What was considered to be a good school? . Parents said that good schools had updated facilities and equipment, stimulating atmospheres and high-quality educational programs. They said they are safe, had teachers who are dedicated, small class sizes, computers, healthy environments and favored graduates who went on to excel academically and occupationally.Pg 277 Sociology making sense of society 4th ed Marsh Keating Here we can see a law of continuation of Durkheims psotiivist approach, with its emphasis on description rather than criticism. Its implication that education contributes towards a meritocratic system (in which pupils educational achievements are based wholly on ability and effort has been severelet challenged. As research has repeatedly highlighted the arduous effects of social inequalities on educational outcomes.