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==Etymology==
[http://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]
==Definitions==
*1 a obsolete : reward or punishment due
:b : the [[qualities]] or [[actions]] that [[constitute]] the basis of one's deserts
:c : a praiseworthy [[quality]] : [[virtue]]
:d : [[character]] or conduct deserving reward, [[honor]], or esteem; also : achievement
*2 : [[spiritual]] credit held to be earned by [[performance]] of [[righteous]] [[acts]] and to ensure [[future]] benefits
*3 a plural : the substance of a [[legal]] case apart from matters of [[jurisdiction]], [[procedure]], or [[form]]
:b : [[individual]] significance or [[justification]]
==Description==
Meritocracy is a [[system]] of a [[government]] or other [[organization]] wherein appointments are made and [[responsibilities]] assigned to [[individuals]] based upon [[demonstrated]] [[talent]] and [[ability]] (merit). In a meritocracy, [[society]] rewards (via [[wealth]], position, and [[social status]]) those who show talent and competence as demonstrated by past [[actions]] or by [[competition]]. Evaluation systems, such as [[formal]] [[education]], are closely linked to notions of meritocracy.
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
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.
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]
[[Category: Sociology]]
==Etymology==
[http://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]
==Definitions==
*1 a obsolete : reward or punishment due
:b : the [[qualities]] or [[actions]] that [[constitute]] the basis of one's deserts
:c : a praiseworthy [[quality]] : [[virtue]]
:d : [[character]] or conduct deserving reward, [[honor]], or esteem; also : achievement
*2 : [[spiritual]] credit held to be earned by [[performance]] of [[righteous]] [[acts]] and to ensure [[future]] benefits
*3 a plural : the substance of a [[legal]] case apart from matters of [[jurisdiction]], [[procedure]], or [[form]]
:b : [[individual]] significance or [[justification]]
==Description==
Meritocracy is a [[system]] of a [[government]] or other [[organization]] wherein appointments are made and [[responsibilities]] assigned to [[individuals]] based upon [[demonstrated]] [[talent]] and [[ability]] (merit). In a meritocracy, [[society]] rewards (via [[wealth]], position, and [[social status]]) those who show talent and competence as demonstrated by past [[actions]] or by [[competition]]. Evaluation systems, such as [[formal]] [[education]], are closely linked to notions of meritocracy.
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
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.
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]
[[Category: Sociology]]
