The double shock of Donald Trump’s election and Leave’s referendum win in 2016 sent political commentators scurrying for an explanation. The blame was largely placed on members of a smug liberal elite, who had grown so convinced of their own status and opinions that they ignored the growing discontent of their fellow citizens. Trump’s win and Brexit were, in their different ways, a reason and an opportunity for those who had been “left behind” to kick back.
There’s much to this argument. In western democracies, modern political parties of centre left and right have increasingly emphasised merit as the basis on which society should be organised. The promise of “equality of opportunity” – which has involved a massive expansion of higher education – was that it would temper the inequalities produced by market economics. But too often the reality of meritocracy has been that the wealthy use their privilege to monopolise the most prestigious schools and universities, and gain the qualifications that act as a ticket to success. Those without degrees have seen their access to high-status jobs blocked. The rich have got ever richer while non-graduate earnings have stagnated.
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