Meritocracy: meaning, definitions and examples

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meritocracy

 

[ หŒmษ›rษชหˆtษ’krษ™si ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

social system

Meritocracy is a social system in which individuals are rewarded and advanced based on their abilities, talents, and achievements rather than their social status or wealth. It promotes the idea that success should be based on merit, allowing for equal opportunities for all participants. The term reflects a belief in fairness and the potential for individuals to rise through the ranks based on their own efforts. While the concept is sought after in many societies, its application varies widely, often leading to debates about accessibility and inequality.

Synonyms

ability-based system, merit-based system, talentocracy

Examples of usage

  • The educational system is often viewed as a meritocracy.
  • In a true meritocracy, everyone has the same opportunities.
  • Critics argue that meritocracy can perpetuate existing inequalities.
  • Corporate environments strive to create meritocratic workplaces.

Translations

Translations of the word "meritocracy" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น meritocracia

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเฅ‡เคฐเคฟเคŸเฅ‹เค•เคฐเฅ‡เคธเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Meritokratie

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ meritokrasi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะตั€ะธั‚ะพะบั€ะฐั‚ั–ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ meritokracja

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒกใƒชใƒˆใ‚ฏใƒฉใ‚ทใƒผ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท mรฉritocratie

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ meritocracia

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท meritokrasi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋Šฅ๋ ฅ์ฃผ์˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ูŠุฑูŠุชูˆู‚ุฑุงุทูŠุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ meritokracie

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ meritokracia

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ฒพ่‹ฑๆฒป็†

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ meritokracija

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ meritรณkrati

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผะตั€ะธั‚ะพะบั€ะฐั‚ะธั

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒ”แƒ แƒ˜แƒขแƒแƒ™แƒ แƒแƒขแƒ˜แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ meritokratiya

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ meritocracia

Etymology

The term 'meritocracy' was first coined by British sociologist Michael Young in his 1958 book 'The Rise of the Meritocracy.' Young originally used the term in a satirical context, highlighting the potential dangers of a system that ranks individuals solely based on their merit, indicating that it could lead to a rigid caste of talented individuals who could become detached from the rest of society. 'Merit' comes from the Latin word 'meritum,' meaning 'worth' or 'deserving,' while the suffix '-cracy' is derived from the Greek 'kratos,' meaning 'power' or 'rule.' Together, they denote a system of governance or social organization based on individual merit, rather than hereditary privilege or wealth. Over time, the term has evolved, and while it is often associated with positive ideals of fairness and opportunity, it has also sparked discussions about social mobility, privilege, and systemic barriers that can undermine the very meritocratic ideals it seeks to uphold.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,879 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.