meritocracy

Political Science

(noun)

Meritocracy, in an administrative sense, is a system of government or other administration wherein appointments and responsibilities are objectively assigned to individuals based upon their "merits" and achievements.

Related Terms

Sociology

(noun)

Rule by merit, and talent. By extension, now often used to describe a type of society where wealth, income, and social status are assigned through competition.

Related Terms

Examples of meritocracy in the following topics:

  • Introduction to Benevolent Dictators

    • " I'm always dissatisfied with bland responses about meritocracy, the spirit of cooperation, code speaking for itself, etc.
    • Meritocracy, cooperation, and running code are all part of it, but they do little to explain how projects actually run on a day-to-day basis, and say nothing about how conflicts are resolved.

  • Equality

    • In the classical sense, equality of opportunity is closely aligned with the concepts of equality under the law and meritocracy.
    • Thus, policies that seek an equality of outcome often require a deviation from the strict application of concepts such as meritocracy and legal notions of equality before the law for all citizens.

  • The Literati

    • The entire premise of the scholarly meritocracy was based on mastery of the Confucian classics.
    • Moreover, the relatively low status of military professionals in Confucian society discouraged similar efficiency and meritocracy within the military.

  • Bureaucratization of Schools

    • Meritocracy means that hiring and promotion should be based on proven and documented skills, rather than on nepotism or random choice.
    • However, the theory of meritocracy becomes convoluted when it is applied to schools because some individuals have access to privileges that give them advantages over other individuals.

  • Forms of Government

    • A meritocracy refers to rule by the meritorious; a system of governance where groups are selected on the basis of people's ability, knowledge in a given area, and contributions to society.

  • Non-Democratic Governments: Monarchy, Oligarchy, Technocracy, and Theocracy

    • Forms of government and other political structures associated with oligarchy usually include aristocracy, meritocracy, plutocracy, military junta, technocracy, and theocracy.

  • Social Interaction

    • He devises a meritocracy that is lead by philosopher kings.

  • Socialism

    • Early socialist thinkers tended to favour an authentic meritocracy combined with rational social planning.