Meritocracy: meaning, definitions and examples
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meritocracy
[ หmษrษชหtษkrษsi ]
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:
๐ต๐น meritocracia
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฎเฅเคฐเคฟเคเฅเคเคฐเฅเคธเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช Meritokratie
๐ฎ๐ฉ meritokrasi
๐บ๐ฆ ะผะตัะธัะพะบัะฐััั
๐ต๐ฑ meritokracja
๐ฏ๐ต ใกใชใใฏใฉใทใผ
๐ซ๐ท mรฉritocratie
๐ช๐ธ meritocracia
๐น๐ท meritokrasi
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ฅ๋ ฅ์ฃผ์
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ูุฑูุชููุฑุงุทูุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ meritokracie
๐ธ๐ฐ meritokracia
๐จ๐ณ ็ฒพ่ฑๆฒป็
๐ธ๐ฎ meritokracija
๐ฎ๐ธ meritรณkrati
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะผะตัะธัะพะบัะฐัะธั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแ แแขแแแ แแขแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ meritokratiya
๐ฒ๐ฝ 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.