Abstract

ADAMS, Telmo  and  MORETTI, Cheron Zanini. Meritocracy and the challenges for a liberating education. Práxis Educativa [online]. 2025, vol.20, e24931.  Epub Sep 30, 2025. ISSN 1809-4309.  https://doi.org/10.5212/praxeduc.v.20.24931.053.

This article seeks to understand meritocracy within the context of neoliberal logic and the challenges it poses to a liberating education. To this end, it adopts a reflective method with a dialectical-hermeneutic approach, articulating critical interpretive mediations based on the works of Brazilian sociologist Jessé Souza and American philosopher Michael Sandel, in dialogue with authors from a liberating perspective. The conclusions highlight: meritocracy is based on the internalization of colonialities and also on traditional education; as an ideology, it tends to justify inequalities and injustices in the form of privilege and success, as well as to educate for individualism and arrogance; as a tyranny, merit dismantles the universalization of public policies - including education - challenging liberating education to overcome this logic in the pursuit of good living and more solidaristic ways of living.

Keywords : Traditional education; Coloniality; Ideology of merit.

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