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meritocracy

/mɛɹɪˈtɒkɹəsi/

Meanings
  • noun

    A system in which individuals succeed based on their abilities and merits, rather than on factors such as family background, connections, or wealth.

    - "The school operates under a meritocracy system, where students are admitted based on their academic performance."
    - "Meritocracy is the belief that people should be rewarded based on their talent and hard work, rather than on their social status."

Variants
List of all variants of meritocracy that leads to same result
meritocracies , meritocracy , meritocratic
Etymology
origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Derived from the Latin words 'meritum' (meaning 'deserving') and 'cracy' (meaning 'rule' or 'government').


Trivia
Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word
  1. Meritocracy was a key concept in Confucianism, which emphasized the importance of personal moral development and the belief that individuals could rise to power based on their abilities.

  2. The first known use of the term 'meritocracy' in English was in 1850, in a book by Thomas Carlyle.

  3. The concept of meritocracy has been criticized for perpetuating inequality, as it can create a system where individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds are unable to compete on an equal footing.


Related Concepts
informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to
  1. Merkitism: A term used to describe a social system based on meritocracy, where individuals are rewarded based on their abilities and merits rather than on their social status or wealth.

  2. Moral meritocracy: A system in which individuals are rewarded based on their moral virtues and character, rather than on their abilities or achievements.


Culture
Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Meritocracy has been a significant concept in various cultures and societies throughout history. In ancient China, the civil service exam system was a merit-based system that allowed individuals from all social classes to advance based on their knowledge and abilities. In modern times, meritocracy is often associated with educational systems and career advancement.

How to Memorize "meritocracy"

  1. visualize

    - Visualize a ladder with rungs representing different levels of achievement. Individuals climb the ladder based on their merits, with each rung representing a new level of success.

  2. associate

    - Associate the term 'meritocracy' with the image of a fair and unbiased judge, weighing each individual's abilities and merits equally.

  3. mnemonics

    - Use the acronym 'MERIT' to remember the key components of meritocracy: Meaningful work, Excellence, Responsibility, Integrity, and Talent.


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