No contest

the case against competition

324 pages

English language

Published Oct. 9, 1992 by Houghton Mifflin.

ISBN:
978-0-395-63125-6
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OCLC Number:
26255272

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No Contest, which has been stirring up controversy since its publication in 1986, stands as the definitive critique of competition. Drawing from hundreds of studies, Alfie Kohn eloquently argues that our struggle to defeat each other — at work, at school, at play, and at home — turns all of us into losers.

Contrary to the myths with which we have been raised, Kohn shows that competition is not an inevitable part of “human nature.” It does not motivate us to do our best (in fact, the reason our workplaces and schools are in trouble is that they value competitiveness instead of excellence.) Rather than building character, competition sabotages self-esteem and ruins relationships. It even warps recreation by turning the playing field into a battlefield.

No Contest makes a powerful case that “healthy competition” is a contradiction in terms. Because any win/lose arrangement is undesirable, we will have to restructure …

4 editions

Subjects

  • Competition (Psychology)
  • Cooperativeness.
  • Aggressiveness.
  • Social interaction -- United States.

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