No Contest: The Case Against Competition

Kohn argues that competition is inherently destructive. He refutes the myths that competition is a prod to productivity, a builder of character and an unavoidable part of "human nature." He shows that gaining success by making others fail is an unproductive way to work or learn.

A very interesting exploration of the concept of competition. While the concept is greatly admired and idealized in our modern culture, Kohn explores the the negative consequences of competition. The book suggests that competition is much more harmful to us as individuals than is typically thought. As an educational expert, he concentrates on the concept of competition in schooling. While he does talk about some other applications of competition, I would have liked for the book to have examined a little more closely competition in the economic sphere as well.