This chapter interrogates the deeply ingrained meritocratic ideology that legitimizes extreme income and wealth disparities in modern Western societies. It highlights how disproportionate rewards—such as Italian CEOs earning hundreds of times more than average workers and dynastic fortunes—are mistakenly attributed to individual merit rather than to chance or inherited privilege. Drawing on insights from Michael Sandel and others, the chapter reveals the belief in meritocracy obscures structural inequalities and shifts responsibility for failure onto individuals. It critiques the neoliberal framework that promotes individualism and justifies regressive policies, which in turn isolate those left behind, eroding social solidarity and democratic foundations. The chapter further examines how higher education has transformed from a vehicle of social mobility into a credentialing system that reinforces elitism. By questioning the validity of “merit” as the sole determinant of success, the chapter challenges the ethical underpinnings of contemporary capitalism and calls for a reevaluation of societal values to foster a more equitable and inclusive society.