Peter Zeihan: Europe Goes Nuclear
We’ve got two major developments in Eurasia. We’re talking about Ukraine disabling two ships in the Caspian Sea and Poland getting EU approval to build…
Thought Leader: Peter Zeihan
Americans don’t believe in meritocracy – They believe in fake-it-ocracy
By Niall Ferguson (Original source Boston Globe)
“Americans believe in meritocracy in principle. Polls show that significant majorities — between 67% and 70% since Gallup began asking the question in 2003 — believe that, when it comes to university admissions, “applicants should be admitted solely on the basis of merit”.
The most successful Broadway show in living memory, Hamilton, is an exuberant celebration of a self-made man — the first US Treasury secretary, Alexander Hamilton, who was born into poverty (“a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman”) but indefatigably read, wrote and fought his way to the top.
Unlike his wealthy rival Aaron Burr, Hamilton isn’t admitted to Princeton and has to settle for King’s College (now Columbia University). It doesn’t matter. Hamilton gets “a lot farther by working a lot harder / By being a lot smarter / By being a self-starter”. Nothing can stop this young, scrappy, hungry prodigy from “rising up”.”
Click here to see more
Relevant and recent posts
Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Top Health Stories of 2025
From the resurgence of measles to a new way to treat pain, 2025 was a challenge for public health while still offering moments of hope. Sanjay…
Thought Leader: Sanjay Gupta
Ian Bremmer: The state of global conflict in 2025
On GZERO World, Ian Bremmer takes a hard look at the biggest global crises and conflicts that defined our world in 2025 with CNN’s Clarissa…
Thought Leader: Ian Bremmer
More with this speaker
Niall Ferguson Breaks Down Global Economic Risk
Thought Leader: Niall Ferguson
