President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle federal DEI programs resting on the argument that such programs are discriminatory and undermine fairness. The purpose of this order is to protect individual Americans from discrimination and protect their civil rights as a matter of public policy. The order, and its policy, also favors a purely merit-based system.
I believe everyone should be in agreement with the President regarding the purpose and policy behind the order. What is problematic is the idea that merit-based opportunities are inherently fair. This view misunderstands the role of access and achievement programs and the structural inequities they aim to address.
As Michael Sandel argues in The Tyranny of Merit, true meritocracy is unattainable in the absence of meaningful efforts to ensure equal opportunity, particularly through higher educational attainment for underrepresented and underserved populations.
Legitimate equity-minded programs serve all members of society: racial and ethnic minorities, white communities in poverty, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, women and gender minorities, religious minorities, older adults, youth from low-income backgrounds, First-generation college students, immigrants and refugees, veterans, as well as formerly incarcerated individuals, to name a few. Most individuals from these groups don’t stand a chance in a misconstrued merit-based society.
Meritocracy assumes a level playing field, where success depends solely on individual effort and talent. Yet, systemic inequities—rooted in historical and structural barriers—mean that many individuals do not start the race at the same point. Access to quality education, mentorship, and resources often determines who can even compete in the first place. Programs that foster inclusivity and success are not antithetical to meritocracy; they are essential tools for creating the conditions under which merit can genuinely thrive.
Higher education plays a transformative role in this process. It provides pathways to economic mobility, innovation, and societal contributions. For underrepresented populations, education is not just an individual achievement but a means of leveling the broader societal playing field. DEI programs in education seek to dismantle barriers to access and success, enabling individuals to compete on merit while enriching society as a whole.
Transformative change is an educational tenet. DEI programs and initiatives need to evolve and transform. Critique and arguments against DEI reflect valid societal concerns about fairness but most of the time this critique misses the mark in addressing root causes of inequality. Rather than eliminating these programs, policymakers should invest in refining them to emphasize opportunity-building, inclusivity, and measurable outcomes. A truly merit-based society does not emerge by declaring equality; it is built through intentional efforts to ensure that every individual has a fair chance to achieve their potential.
Far from opposing meritocracy, DEI initiatives lay its foundation. They recognize that fairness is not a reflection of current societal conditions but a goal that requires commitment, investment, and action. If the goal is to create a merit-based society, supporting the educational and economic advancement of all individuals, underrepresented populations included, is the most constructive path forward.