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What Happened to Meritocracy? The Illusion of Equal Opportunity
Season 1 Episode 175
In this episode, we tackle a hot-button question: Has meritocracy been sidelined in favor of quotas, diversity, and inclusion? We dive into the tension between hiring and promotions based purely on merit versus policies aimed at achieving equal outcomes.
We examine real-world examples: UBS Bank, which in 2025 removed diversity targets from its annual report to emphasize merit-based hiring, sparking debate about fairness and qualifications; and Harvard University, which ended its longstanding minority recruitment program following the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against affirmative action in college admissions.
We explore how well-intentioned inclusion policies can sometimes shift focus from equal opportunities to equal outcomes, potentially promoting individuals based on demographics rather than ability. Along the way, we discuss the complexities of modern meritocracy, the impact of quotas and diversity initiatives, and what it truly means to be “the best” in today’s world.
If you’ve ever wondered whether meritocracy is dead — or just evolving — this episode is for you.
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Published on 3 months, 1 week ago