meritocracy, redefined
August 25th, 2009
the good news: in the US, we don't stigmatize failure...
Meritocracy is a system of a government or other organization wherein appointments are made and responsibilities assigned based on demonstrated talent and ability (merit)[1], rather than by wealth (plutocracy), family connections (nepotism), class (oligarchy), friendship (cronyism), seniority (gerontocracy), popularity (democracy) or other historical determinants of social position and political power. In a meritocracy, society rewards (by wealth, position, and social status) those who show talent and competence as demonstrated by past actions or by competition.
