The social elevator

"We lived today in a bogus meritocracy.Our society proclaims itself democratic and a place where anyone can rise to fame and wealth. But social mobility has declined. Modern market democracies are webs of special connections, riven with unfairness, hidden conspiracies and family deals. The children of successful lawyers,bankers, journalist and so on tend to rise to the top of the money-making professions, apparently convinced they are there because they're worth it."
- Andrew Marr, The Sunday Times