This. These folks are helping to shape new laws that set precedent for every other case. For example: the wealthiest now pay historically low tax rates [1][2]
Do they really set the vision, though? Did they start the #MeToo movement and bring down Harvey Weinstein and other powerful men? Are they leading the push for transgender acceptance? Are they the reason why reparations and universal healthcare are now mainstream policy proposals in the Democrat party?
It certainly makes sense for the wealthy, elite lawyers of a society to set the course of policy. But I'm not sure what the empirical evidence from 2019 America says. I think a lot of these Yale graduates end up becoming cogs in the existing system without actually changing it, and I think other forces might be equally as or more impactful in terms of shaping political currents.
Setting the vision for American legislation and so-called "justice" is hardly something to be envious of, or to be proud of if you know anything about legislation or the "justice" system.
And yet we routinely see people here arguing in defence of 80- to 100-hour work weeks at startups. This kind of mind-sickness is not the sole domain of the elite legal profession.
natalyarostova|6 years ago
thulecitizen|6 years ago
[1] https://twitter.com/DLeonhardt/status/1181004566088814594
[2] https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/10/06/opinion/incom...
aexq36|6 years ago
It certainly makes sense for the wealthy, elite lawyers of a society to set the course of policy. But I'm not sure what the empirical evidence from 2019 America says. I think a lot of these Yale graduates end up becoming cogs in the existing system without actually changing it, and I think other forces might be equally as or more impactful in terms of shaping political currents.
StanislavPetrov|6 years ago
disabled|6 years ago
You should read The Meritocracy Trap by Daniel Markovits: https://www.themeritocracytrap.com/
The author is actually a Yale Law Professor, and the book came out about a month ago.
brillas|6 years ago
bikeshed|6 years ago
jchallis|6 years ago