A brief reading of the sentences suggests that the paragraph is about the limits to considering meritocracy as an organizing principle in a free society. Statement 3 introduces the topic at hand by stating the inevitability of meritocracy. Statement 2 initiates the main idea by citing the general idea given in recent books about the limits of merit and its applicability. Thus, 3−2 will form a pair. Statement 1 extends this idea by giving the benefits of understanding the limits, and statement 4 follows this by applying this to build a more compassionate society. Thus, the correct sequence will be 3−2−1−4.