meritocracy
mer-ih-TOK-ruh-see
/ˌmɛrɪˈtɒkrəsi/
A system in which advancement is based on individual ability or achievement.
Sports are often called the 'ultimate meritocracy' because the scoreboard doesn't care about your social status.
The story behind the word. A hybrid word! It combines the Latin 'meritum' (due reward/earned) with the Greek suffix '-kratia' (power). Interestingly, the term was coined in 1958 by Michael Young as a satire, though it is now used positively.
Word relationships
- egalitarianism: The belief that all people are equal and deserve equal rights, whereas meritocracy focuses on 'earning' your spot.
- nepotism: Favoritism shown to relatives or friends.
- aristocracy: Rule by a privileged hereditary class.
Commonly confused with
- democracy: Democracy is rule by the people (voting); meritocracy is rule by the most capable.
Word family
- merit (noun): The quality of being particularly good or worthy.
- meritocratic (adjective): Relating to a meritocracy.
Collocations
- pure meritocracy
- educational meritocracy
- illusion of meritocracy
Example sentences
- "Professional sports are often viewed as a pure meritocracy where only the most talented survive." The nature of competition.
- "The coach insisted that his team was a meritocracy; if you played well in practice, you started on Saturday." Societal critique.
Memory hook
You get MERIT in a MERITocracy. Rule by the best.
When not to use
Don't use it to describe a system where people are promoted based on who they know (nepotism).
Fun facts
- The inventor of the word actually meant it as a warning that a society based only on IQ and effort would become cold and heartless.
Related words
Explore more words
advancement, egalitarian, underprivileged, mobility, nepotism, scholarship
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