[The Rise of the Meritocracy] (Witten by Michael Young, translated by Kubota Shizuo, Yamamoto Uichiro, published by Kodansha Editorial Ltd., ￥2,273 excluding tax, scheduled to be published in late July, 280 pages ISBN:978-4-86-677089-5)

　[The Rise of the Meritocracy] a masterpiece written by a British sociologist Michael Young in 1958, became a bestseller in Britain at that time, and translated into 7 languages will be republished from Kodansha Editorial Ltd., and newly equipped with commentary by Shigyo Sosyu and scheduled to be published in late July. (￥2,273 excluding tax ISBN: 978-4-86-677089-5, 280 pages)

　The term “Meritocracy” is also expressed as “Ability-ism,” and “Merit-system.” And Michael Young is the one who explained this concept as the social phenomena for the first time and published it in a book. This masterpiece revealing virtue and vice of equality and meritocracy which form the basis of democracy, and its intrinsic nature through this concept will be republished after the lapse of 40 years.

　What is genuine meritocracy to live through the coming civilization? ——I truly hope to have you contemplate this query, which is common with the present society by reading [The Rise of the Meritocracy].

　
　Book-band Recommendation:
　“Indeed, this book is old. (…) This book was written in the period after World War II and the start of post-war democracy. That is why, the author sensed the intrinsic dream in the future, and at the same time must have perceived its essential vice. It is no exaggeration to say that [Syoshin (Original intention)] of Democracy has given birth to this book. Now we must go back to the original intention. If not the present people, shall lose the ability to create the future] ——from Shigyo Sosyu “Commentary—contribute to republication”

　Author profile:
　Michael Young (1915 – 2002), Baron of Dartington, was a British sociologist, social activist and politician who is known to coin the term “Meritocracy.” He studied economics at the London School of Economics and later became barrister. In 1945 general election, he wrote the manifesto for the Labour Party “Let Us Face the Future,” and served to take part in the birth of the Labour Party government led by Clement Attlee. After leaving the party, He founded numerous organization such as Consumers’ Association, Open University, School for Social Entrepreneurs and worked for social reform, and in the field of education, he was a fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge, and president of Birkbeck University of London.

[Contents]
Part One: Rise of the Élite
1 Clash of Social Forces
2 Threat of Comprehensive
Schools
3 Origins of Modern Education
4 From Seniority to Merit

Part Two: Decline of the Lower Classes
5 Status of the Worker
6 Fall of the Labour Movement
7 Rich and Poor
8 Crisis

Commentary––Contribute to the Republication Shigyo Sosyu