Educational Opportunity and Meritocracy Lecture

These vocabulary flashcards cover the key concepts of educational equity, social mobility, and human rights discussed in the lecture notes.

Basic human rights

A key aspect of the UN declaration that includes the right to education, healthcare, and freedom from discrimination for every individual.

Equality of opportunity

The principle that every child should have the same starting block and access to building blocks for their future, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

Equality of outcome

A concept contrasted with equality of opportunity, where the end results or rewards are the same for everyone regardless of their effort or contribution.

Meritocracy

A social system where individuals are judged and rewarded based on what they contribute to the wider scheme rather than their socioeconomic background.

UN declaration

A document outlining universal human rights that should be followed by all countries to ensure a fair starting line for all members of society.

Immutable characteristics

Inherent traits that an individual cannot change, which should not act as enforced barriers to participation in society.

Socioeconomic status

The social standing or class of an individual or group, often measured as a combination of education, income, and occupation.

Anthony Scaramucci

The founder of SkyBridge Capital who argued for unequal outcomes based on hard work but advocated for equal access to food, education, and healthcare for all children.

Social cohesion

The bonds that bring people together in a society; a lack of this can lead to higher crime rates and reduced community well-being.

Afghanistan, Central African Republic, and South Sudan

Specific examples of countries mentioned in the text that do not follow the UN declaration of basic human rights.

Opportunity gap

The difference in available opportunities between children of different backgrounds, which can lead to higher crime rates and less social cohesion if not minimized.

Democratic institutions

Public bodies that may suffer from a lack of public trust if success is only accessible to children from wealthy families.