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| ==Etymology== | | ==Etymology== |
| [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Anglo-French merite, from [[Latin]] meritum, from neuter of meritus, past participle of merēre to deserve, earn; akin to [[Greek]] meiresthai to receive as one's portion, meros part | | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Anglo-French merite, from [[Latin]] meritum, from neuter of meritus, past participle of merēre to deserve, earn; akin to [[Greek]] meiresthai to receive as one's portion, meros part |
− | *Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century] | + | *Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century] |
| ==Definitions== | | ==Definitions== |
| *1 a obsolete : reward or punishment due | | *1 a obsolete : reward or punishment due |
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| This is [[opposed]] to other [[value]] systems, where reward and legitimacy is based upon [[possession]] of [[wealth]] (plutocracy), [[origin]] ([[aristocracy]]), [[family]] [[connections]] (nepotism), property (oligarchy), [[friendship]] (cronyism), seniority (gerontocracy), popularity ([[democracy]]) or other historical determinants of social position and [[political]] [[power]]. | | This is [[opposed]] to other [[value]] systems, where reward and legitimacy is based upon [[possession]] of [[wealth]] (plutocracy), [[origin]] ([[aristocracy]]), [[family]] [[connections]] (nepotism), property (oligarchy), [[friendship]] (cronyism), seniority (gerontocracy), popularity ([[democracy]]) or other historical determinants of social position and [[political]] [[power]]. |
| *Origin of term | | *Origin of term |
− | The term 'meritocracy' was first used in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Young_(politician) Michael Young]'s 1958 satirical book ''Rise of the Meritocracy''. The term was [[intended]] to be pejorative, and his book was set in a [[dystopian]] [[future]] in which one's social place is determined by [[IQ]] plus [[effort]]. In the [[book]], this social system ultimately leads to a social [[revolution]] in which the masses overthrow the elite, who have become arrogant and disconnected from [[public]] sentiment. | + | The term 'meritocracy' was first used in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Young_(politician) Michael Young]'s 1958 satirical book ''Rise of the Meritocracy''. The term was [[intended]] to be pejorative, and his book was set in a [[dystopian]] [[future]] in which one's social place is determined by [[IQ]] plus [[effort]]. In the [[book]], this social system ultimately leads to a social [[revolution]] in which the masses overthrow the elite, who have become arrogant and disconnected from [[public]] sentiment. |
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| Despite the [[negative]] [[origin]] of the [[word]], there are many who believe that a meritocratic system is a [[good]] [[thing]]. Proponents [[argue]] that a meritocratic system is more just and more productive than other systems, and that it allows for an end to distinctions based on [[arbitrary]] criteria such as [[Gender|sex]], [[race]], [[wealth]] and social connections. Conversely, detractors of meritocracy point to the central dystopian aspect of Young's conception: the [[existence]] of a meritocratic class that monopolizes [[access]] to merit and the [[symbols]] and markers of merit, thereby perpetuating its own [[power]], [[social status]], and [[privilege]]. | | Despite the [[negative]] [[origin]] of the [[word]], there are many who believe that a meritocratic system is a [[good]] [[thing]]. Proponents [[argue]] that a meritocratic system is more just and more productive than other systems, and that it allows for an end to distinctions based on [[arbitrary]] criteria such as [[Gender|sex]], [[race]], [[wealth]] and social connections. Conversely, detractors of meritocracy point to the central dystopian aspect of Young's conception: the [[existence]] of a meritocratic class that monopolizes [[access]] to merit and the [[symbols]] and markers of merit, thereby perpetuating its own [[power]], [[social status]], and [[privilege]]. |
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− | Meritocracy has been criticized as a [[myth]] which merely serves to justify the [[status quo]]; merit can always be defined as whatever results in success. Thus whoever is successful can be portrayed as meriting (deserving) success, rather than success being in [[fact]] predicated on [[rational]], predetermined criteria of merit.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritocracy] | + | Meritocracy has been criticized as a [[myth]] which merely serves to justify the [[status quo]]; merit can always be defined as whatever results in success. Thus whoever is successful can be portrayed as meriting (deserving) success, rather than success being in [[fact]] predicated on [[rational]], predetermined criteria of merit.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritocracy] |
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| [[Category: Sociology]] | | [[Category: Sociology]] |