If all are winners, then no-one wins

Researchers have concluded that the gold stickers given to younger children at school to express congratulation and merit for all sorts of achievement. Some of the rewards are for sitting quietly, disposing of debris properly, and even for eating a "good" lunch.

The problem is that if everyone, in line with current ideology, gains a prize, then they can become meaningless. With some children the "prizes" could even become counter-productive.

(It reminds me of the early post-war years of Soviet Socialism when, to encourage productivity in the absence of monetary incentives, they awarded "The Star of Lenin" or other such putty medal and displayed the award on public buildings. What happened, of course, was that other workers saw no advantage and the advertisement suggested "idiots" who got the same money as others but worked harder. The scheme did not last long.)