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Criticism on Meritocracy in Korean Society

  • The Korean Journal of Chiristian Social Ethics
  • Abbr : 기사윤
  • 2022, (53), pp.35-78
  • Publisher : The Society Of Korean Christian Social Ethics
  • Research Area : Humanities > Christian Theology
  • Received : June 30, 2022
  • Accepted : August 15, 2022
  • Published : August 31, 2022

Hyejin Shin 1

1이화여자대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Meritocracy professes an equal society that respects individual merit. However, Meritocracy has contributed to the mechanism to justify the social hierarchy of classes. Sociologists concerned about the polarization of class structure in capitalism criticize that Meritocracy has promoted social inequality with conflict and division in society. This article discloses that Meritocracy consists of contemporary aristocratic inheritance, justification of democracy, and collusion with Elitism. This research presents how the term ‘Meritocracy’ is used in various contexts of Korean society. It also shows how ‘Merit competency-hierarchy’ and Neoliberalism have separated Korean middleclass women. This study offers the position and perspectives in political-economical-social geomorphology of Korean Society to access and interpret the phenomena through democratic Ideas and ethical-theological thoughts.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.