Changes

==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  

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.

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]].

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]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]