> But I think you're throwing the baby out with the bathwater You're right, I was intentionally being dichotomous. > a "meritocracy" where merit is primarily

> But I think you're throwing the baby out with the bathwater You're right, I was intentionally being dichotomous. > a "meritocracy" where merit is primarily earned by being born into a wealthy family is just smuggling aristocracy into the public consciousness I agree, to some extent - but would also suggest that this is entirely inevitable. It's a natural desire to ensure your children have the best possible future. This can be accomplished through many means - here we are talking specifically about passing down wealth, or teaching discipline. Should something be done to stop this? It's at least possible for passing down wealth. Some would argue that there should be no such thing as inheritance - others would argue that such a policy would ruin the economy, by removing a large motivation of productivity. I personally think the best a society can do is provide to the best of it's ability, equal access to education - and still permit generational wealth.