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The young American republic seemed a nation peculiarly conducive to recognizing merit, or a "quality deserving reward" in public life. Here Kett (history, Univ. of Virginia) traces the evolution of this ideal from the revolution forward, pointing out how merit frequently clashed with other ideals such as equality. He shows how "essential merit," possessed owing to inner qualities, gave way to "institutional merit," awarded by schools, colleges, and corporate or governmental bureaucracies. In Ke...Log In or Sign Up to Read More