The Limits of Meritocracy in a Racially Divided Society
The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
Published online on June 25, 2026
Abstract
The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Volume 717, Issue 1, Page 68-79, January 2025.
This article distinguishes between “thin” and “thick” meritocracy in order to clarify contemporary debates about race, inequality, and equal opportunity. Thin meritocracy focuses exclusively on fairness at the point of selection—neutral rules and race-...
This article distinguishes between “thin” and “thick” meritocracy in order to clarify contemporary debates about race, inequality, and equal opportunity. Thin meritocracy focuses exclusively on fairness at the point of selection—neutral rules and race-...