meritocracy
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
A system where advancement is based on individual ability and achievement rather than wealth, class, or connections.
The ideology or belief that such a system is desirable and just. Also refers to a ruling or influential group formed by individuals selected in this way (e.g., 'the country's technocratic meritocracy').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can carry positive connotations (fairness, equality of opportunity) but also negative connotations (elitism, pressure, social stratification based on measured talent). Often used in political, sociological, and corporate discourse.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or primary definition differences. Usage is equally common in political/sociological contexts in both variants.
Connotations
In the UK, the term is historically linked to post-war educational reforms (e.g., grammar schools). In the US, it's more strongly linked to the 'American Dream' narrative and corporate culture.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both academic and public discourse. Slight edge in UK media due to historical debates on social mobility and class.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] a meritocracy (create, promote, believe in)[adjective] meritocracy (true, perfect, corporate, flawed)meritocracy of [noun] (meritocracy of talent, meritocracy of ideas)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The cream rises to the top (related concept)”
- “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps (related ideology)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a corporate culture where promotions and rewards are strictly tied to performance metrics and results.
Academic
A key term in sociology and political science, critiqued for often ignoring inherited advantages (cultural capital, social networks).
Everyday
Used when discussing fairness in schools, workplaces, or society. 'It's supposed to be a meritocracy, but it often feels like who you know matters more.'
Technical
Used in political philosophy and organisational theory to describe ideal vs. realised models of social selection.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The government aims to meritocratise the civil service.
- The system has become highly meritocratised over the decades.
American English
- They attempted to meritocratize the hiring process.
- A meritocratized system can still have biases.
adverb
British English
- Positions were filled meritocratically.
- The awards are distributed meritocratically.
American English
- They run the company meritocratically.
- The team was assembled meritocratically.
adjective
British English
- He has a meritocratic outlook on education.
- They champion meritocratic principles.
American English
- She believes in a meritocratic society.
- Their hiring process is strictly meritocratic.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The company says it is a meritocracy where hard work is rewarded.
- Many people believe in the idea of a meritocracy.
- Critics argue that a pure meritocracy is an idealised concept, as people start from vastly different positions.
- The school's ethos is based on meritocratic principles, with scholarships awarded for academic achievement.
- The putative meritocracy of the tech industry has been challenged by studies revealing persistent gender and racial biases in hiring and promotion.
- His thesis examines the transition from a patrimonial aristocracy to a bureaucratic meritocracy in 19th-century Britain.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MERIT + -OCRACY (rule). A system ruled by merit. Link 'merit' to 'earn it'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A RACE (a fair race where the fastest/ablest win). Also, SOCIETY IS A LADDER (to be climbed based on one's own effort).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'меритократия' in informal speech; it's a bookish term. For 'it's a meritocracy', a phrase like 'здесь продвигают по способностям' (here they promote based on ability) is more natural.
- Do not confuse with 'мериторократия' (non-standard).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'meritocrasy', 'meritocricy'.
- Using as a direct synonym for 'equality' (meritocracy implies unequal outcomes based on merit).
- Confusing with 'bureaucracy'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common CRITIQUE of meritocracy?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is context-dependent. Positively, it implies fairness and reward for effort. Negatively, it can justify inequality, create pressure, and overlook systemic barriers ('blaming the victim').
British sociologist Michael Young coined it in his 1958 satirical book 'The Rise of the Meritocracy'. It was initially a pejorative term for a dystopian elite, but was later adopted as a positive ideal.
This is a key debate. Proponents argue a true meritocracy naturally leads to diversity. Critics argue that if biases exist in how 'merit' is defined or measured, a meritocracy can perpetuate homogeneity. Conscious effort is often needed to align the two goals.
They are closely related. Equality of opportunity is the principle that everyone should have the same starting chances. Meritocracy is the system or outcome where those who perform best (using that opportunity) rise to the top. One is about the starting line, the other about the finish line.
Collections
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Political Theory
C2 · 44 words · Advanced vocabulary for political science and theory.