meritocracy
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
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]
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
meritocracy (plural meritocracies)
- 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.
Usage notes[edit]
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[edit]
Translations[edit]
rule by merit
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References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Down with meritocracy, by Michael Young, in The Guardian, June 29, 2001.
- ^ Meritocracy's Lab Rat, by Timothy Noah
