meritocracy

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Translations 1.4 References

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

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

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

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /mɛɹɪˈtɒkɹəsi/
• (US) IPA: /mɛɻəˈtɑkɻəsi/

[edit] Noun

meritocracy (plural meritocracies)

1. Rule by merit, and talent. By extension, now often used to describe a type of society where wealth, income, and social status are assigned through competition.

[edit] 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]

[edit] Derived terms

• meritocrat
• meritocratic

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

• Notes:

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Down with meritocracy, by Michael Young, in The Guardian, June 29, 2001.
2. ^ Meritocracy's Lab Rat, by Timothy Noah