Meritocracy

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /mɛɹɪˈtÉ’kɹəsi/
• US IPA: /mɛɹəˈtÉ‘kɹəsi/

Origin

merit, from Latin mereō ("earn") + -cracy, from Ancient Greek κράτος (kratos, "strength, power").

Coined in 1958 by Michael Young (politician), in his book Rise of the Meritocracy.

Down with meritocracy, by Michael Young, in The Guardian, June 29, 2001.

Full definition of meritocracy

Noun

1. 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.

Usage notes

Though widely used as a term of praise,

Meritocracy's Lab Rat, by Timothy Noah the term was original coined as a satire, and a critique of awarding educational achievement.

Derived terms

• meritocrat
• meritocratic