meritocracy

English

Etymology

merit, from Latin mereō (“earn”) +‎ -cracy, from Ancient Greek κράτος (krátos, “strength, power”).

Coined in 1958 by Michael Young, in his book Rise of the Meritocracy.[1]

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /mɛɹɪˈtɒkɹəsi/
  • (US) IPA(key): /mɛɹəˈtɑkɹəsi/

Noun

meritocracy (plural meritocracies)

  1. Rule by merit, and talent.
  2. A type of society where wealth, income, and social status are assigned through competition.

Usage notes

Though widely used as a term of praise,[2] the term was original coined as a satire, and a critique of awarding educational achievement.[1]

Derived terms

Translations

References

  1. 1 2 Down with meritocracy, by Michael Young, in The Guardian, June 29, 2001.
  2. ↑ Meritocracy's Lab Rat, by Timothy Noah
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