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WEBINAR ENDED

The Tyranny of Merit: Reclaiming the Dignity of Work

About This Webinar

We live, more than we have for generations, in an age of winners and losers, where the odds are stacked in favour of the already fortunate. COVID-19 has invited a new conversation about what work matters most to us, what work is ‘essential’. As we’ve seen, often this is work which is the least rewarded with pay and status in our society. During a pandemic that has exposed the true value of essential work, stalled social mobility and entrenched inequality give the lie to the promise that "you can make it if you try". We have increasingly come to view the money people make as a sign of their worth. The consequence is a brew of anger and frustration that has fuelled populist protest and extreme polarisation – economic, cultural and political - and has led to deep distrust of both government and our fellow citizens, leaving us morally unprepared to face the profound challenges of our age.

In conversation about Michael Sandel's forthcoming book, The Tyranny of Merit, Professor Michael Sandel and Jon Cruddas MP ask whether meritocracy undermines the common good, and what can be done about it. Looking towards the recovery, how do we best reward those that contribute to the common good, and reclaim the dignity of work?

The book can be ordered at https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/313112/the-tyranny-of-merit/9780241407592.html

Who can view: Everyone
Webinar Price: Free
Featured Presenters
Webinar hosting presenter
Professor of Political Philosophy at Harvard University
Described as ‘the world’s most relevant living philosopher’ (Newsweek), Michael J Sandel teaches political philosophy at Harvard University and is a Future of Work Commissioner for the Institute for the Future of Work.

His books have been translated into 28 languages. His BBC Radio 4 series The Public Philosopher explores the big ethical issues with audiences around the world, most recently in his role as The Global Philosopher on Pandemic Ethics. His previous books Justice and What Money Can’t Buy have sold more than 2 million copies worldwide.

Michael's new book "The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good" will be published by Penguin in September 2020.

The new book can be bought at https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/313112/the-tyranny-of-merit/9780241407592.html
Webinar hosting presenter
MP for Dagenham and Rainham
Jon Cruddas has been the Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham (formerly Dagenham) since 2001.

Before entering Parliament, he was a policy advisor on employment issues for the Labour Party then Senior Assistant to the General Secretary. Following the 1997 election, he was employed as Deputy Political Secretary to the Prime Minister Tony Blair with responsibility for employment law, combatting low pay and liaison with the trade unions.

He contested the Party's deputy leadership in 2007 and in May 2012 accepted Ed Miliband's invitation to join the Shadow Cabinet as Labour's Policy Coordinator with responsibility for the drafting of the Party's general election manifesto.

Jon has an MA and PhD from the University of Warwick. He is married with a son. His new book The Dignity of Labour will be released early in 2021.
Webinar hosting presenter
Director of the Institute for the Future of Work
Anna Thomas is the co-founder and Director of the Institute for the Future of Work, and formerly a barrister from Devereux Chambers, specialising in employment law and appointed a Counsel to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Prior to IFOW, Anna was Head of Policy for the Future of Work Commission and is a Fellow of the Institute for Policy Research, RSA and IEO.
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