Daniel Markovits

Daniel Markovits is the Guido Calabresi Professor of Law at Yale Law School and the Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Private Law. In addition to his academic roles, Markovits publishes extensively in various disciplines, including law, philosophy, and economics. His scholarly works have been featured in major publications such as "Science," "The American Economic Review," "The Yale Law Journal," "PNAS," "The New York Times," "The Washington Post," "Time," and "The Atlantic." In 2021, "Prospect Magazine" named him to its list of the world’s top 50 thinkers.

His book, "The Meritocracy Trap" (Penguin Press, 2019), presents a critical analysis of American meritocracy, placing it at the heart of rising economic inequality and social and political dysfunction. This work explores the law, economics, and politics of human capital, identifying the mechanisms through which meritocracy breeds inequality and exposes the burdens imposed on all groups by meritocratic inequality. Markovits has extended this discussion in various public forums, including a keynote speech at the London School of Economics and interviews on shows like "Amanpour and Company" and "CNBC Closing Bell."

After receiving a B.A. in Mathematics, summa cum laude from Yale University, Markovits was awarded a British Marshall Scholarship for further study in England. He earned an M.Sc. in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics from the London School of Economics and a B.Phil. and D.Phil. in Philosophy from the University of Oxford. Returning to Yale for his law degree, Markovits then clerked for the Honorable Guido Calabresi before joining the Yale faculty. He is currently working on a new book, tentatively titled "The Good Life after the Age of Growth."

Markovits is recognized as a thought-provoking speaker, addressing significant topics such as inequality, opportunity, democracy, and the impact of meritocracy on both elite and non-elite groups. His engagements often challenge traditional notions of success and discuss the moral and societal implications of current economic and social policies.