The fallacy of meritocracy and the discourse of entrepreneurship: a comparative reading of The Great Gatsby and Crematorio in light of Law 19.820

Abstract

This article analyzes the notion of meritocracy as a powerful criterion for distributive justice and status quo legitimation. Although meritocracy presents itself as a humanist discourse based on individual talent and effort, the reality underlying the contemporary socio-economic structure is radically different. Twentieth-century literature offers an ideal field for deconstructing this imaginary, its contradictions, and its psychosocial impact. The study focuses on two canonical novels: The Great Gatsby (1925) by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Crematorio (2007) by Rafael Chirbes. Gatsby explores the genesis of the “self-made man” in the era of American capitalist expansion, displaying a moral ambiguity where success (the “green light”) becomes its own justification, denaturing merit through illicit activities. Crematorio advances this critique by placing a "Hispanic Gatsby" at the peak of the Spanish real estate bubble, demonstrating the inevitable degeneration of the business model. Finally, the article examines how current normative language (such as the Entrepreneurship Law) reinforces the meritocratic imaginary, overlooking unequal starting points and the risk of fracturing social cohesion.