Insightful article by Zakir Hussain in ST 15/8, where he notes that Singapore's principle and style of meritocracy well intended that it is may now be cause for some concern. For instance he quotes academic Kenneth Paul Tan who argues that Singapore's meritocratic system
"has been practised so extremely that it is starting to show signs of becoming a victim of its own success...As the economic and political elite are rewarded with larger prizes, a vast and visible inequality of outcomes will replace the incentive effect with a sense of resentment, helplessness, social disengagement, and even envy among those who perceive themselves as systematically disadvantged."
Zakir warns
"...But if those who have gained from this system turn up their noses at those who lag behind, meritocracy as we know it today will not be the only victim. Disdain for the poor is the hidden danger that lurks in meritocracy."
"has been practised so extremely that it is starting to show signs of becoming a victim of its own success...As the economic and political elite are rewarded with larger prizes, a vast and visible inequality of outcomes will replace the incentive effect with a sense of resentment, helplessness, social disengagement, and even envy among those who perceive themselves as systematically disadvantged."
Zakir warns
"...But if those who have gained from this system turn up their noses at those who lag behind, meritocracy as we know it today will not be the only victim. Disdain for the poor is the hidden danger that lurks in meritocracy."