Definition of the word meritocracy

The term "meritocracy" was coined by English sociologist Michael Young in his 1958 satire "The Rise of the Meritocracy," published in the magazine The Universities and left-Review. The article explored the possibility of a society where success and opportunities were solely based on merit or measurable abilities, rather than other factors such as class, race, or privilege. Young used the term as a criticism of the emerging trend of selecting individuals based on intelligence and academic achievements, which he saw as a potential threat to social equality. He argued that such a system would divide society into an intellectual elite, whose success would depend heavily on their early education, and the rest, who would be left behind due to a lack of resources or opportunities. However, the term quickly gained popularity and was adopted by thinkers such as education theorist Michael Sandel, who saw meritocracy as a way of promoting social mobility and rewarding hard work. Despite this, the concept has been criticized for perpetuating social inequalities and creating a test-taking culture, where success is measured solely in terms of grades and test scores. In popular usage, "meritocracy" now refers to a system in which individuals rise to the top based on merit or ability, rather than other factors such as nepotism or favoritism. However, the debate over the benefits and drawbacks of such a system continues, with many questioning whether it truly promotes social justice and equality of opportunity.