society accords less respect to the kind of work the working class does.

think the problem with market-driven globalization is simply a matter of distributive justice;

This morally blinkered way of conceiving merit and the public good has weakened democratic societies in several ways.

For him the merit relevant to governing was not wealth or noble birth, but excellence in civic virtue and phronesis, the practical wisdom to reason well about the common good.12

When exactly did merit turn toxic, and how?

do the chosen earn and therefore deserve their election, or is salvation a gift of grace beyond our control?

The American faith that, with hard work and talent, anyone can rise no longer fits the facts on the ground.

do the successful earn and therefore deserve their success, or is prosperity due to factors beyond our control?

But this misunderstands the populist complaint.