meritocracy etymology

Etymology

The term "meritocracy" is derived from two Latin roots:

• Merere: meaning "to deserve" or "to earn"
• Cracy: meaning "rule" or "power"

Meaning and Origin

The concept of meritocracy originated in ancient Greece, where it was championed by the philosopher Plato in his work "The Republic." Plato believed that society should be governed by those who were most qualified and deserving, regardless of their social class or background.

In the modern era, the term "meritocracy" was popularized by the British sociologist Michael Young in his 1958 satirical novel "The Rise of the Meritocracy." Young argued that a society based solely on merit could lead to social inequality and a loss of individual freedoms.

Definition

A meritocracy is a system in which individuals are rewarded and promoted based on their abilities, qualifications, and achievements. It is a form of government or organization that emphasizes merit-based selection over other factors such as social status, wealth, or connections.

Key Characteristics

• Equal opportunity: Individuals have equal access to education, training, and employment opportunities regardless of their background.
• Performance-based evaluation: Individuals are assessed and promoted based on their performance, skills, and knowledge.
• Transparency: The process for selecting and promoting individuals is open and fair.
• Accountability: Individuals are held accountable for their performance and are rewarded or penalized accordingly.

Benefits

• Encourages excellence: Meritocracies motivate individuals to strive for excellence and achieve their full potential.
• Promotes fairness: Individuals are treated fairly and their abilities are recognized, regardless of their social or economic status.
• Increases efficiency: Meritocracies tend to be more efficient as they prioritize the selection and promotion of the most qualified individuals.

Criticisms

• Inequality: Meritocracies can sometimes lead to inequality if the distribution of resources and opportunities is not equal for all individuals.
• Narrow focus: Some critics argue that meritocracies can overly emphasize academic and professional achievements, neglecting other important factors such as creativity, emotional intelligence, or social skills.
• Elitism: Meritocracies may favor those from privileged backgrounds who have had better access to education and opportunities.

meritocracy relate terms

• merit

  Etymology Middle English merite from Old French merite from Latin meritum neuter pa

• ideology

  Etymology The word ideology is derived from the French word idéologie which in turn

• structure

  Structure Etymology Latin structura meaning a building construction or arrangeme

• promulgate

  Etymology The word promulgate is derived from the Latin word promulgare which means

• heel

  Etymology The word heel derives from the Old English word hǣl which is of uncertain o

• moonlight

  Etymology of the Word Moonlight The word moonlight is derived from two Old English w

• palm

  Etymology of Palm The word palm comes from the Latin word palma which itself is d

• skinflint

  Etymology From earlier skin flint meaning a person who holds tightly to his her money

• cowboy

  Etymology The word cowboy is derived from the Spanish word vaquero which means cow

• mantle

  Etymology The word mantle derives from the Middle English term mantel which origina

• lip service

  Etymology The term lipservice is derived from two words Lip The physical fleshy pa