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Thinking Allowed: Meritocracy; Desert Island Doctors

12/11/2014

Meritocracy; Desert Island Doctors

BBC Radio 4 - Thinking Allowed, Meritocracy; Desert Island Doctors

Laurie Taylor examines the rise, meaning and reality of meritocracy as a concept.

Laurie Taylor examines the rise, meaning and reality of meritocracy as a concept. Also, doctors' choice of 'desert island discs'.

Meritocracy, then and now. Laurie Taylor talks to Peter Hennessy, Attlee professor of contemporary British history at Queen Mary, University of London. How did meritocracy arise as a concept and has it ever been realised in practice given the persistence of notions of a British Establishment with control over access to the centres of power? They are joined by Danny Dorling, professor of Geography at the University of Oxford. Also, doctors' choice of desert island discs - what do they tell us about the possession of cultural capital? Ruth McDonald, professor of health science research at Manchester University, discusses the meaning of elite musical tastes.

Producer: Jayne Egerton.

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