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No I am not confusing the word at all. A meritocracy is a society built on the idea that one must (quite literally) gain a 'merit' before being considered for s
by kjjw 13y ago
No I am not confusing the word at all. A meritocracy is a society built on the idea that one must (quite literally) gain a 'merit' before being considered for some role. This is open to obvious abuse - the ones that get into power can decide how one can gain the merit. In the US, it has been decided that one must pay for it.
I repeat: you have completely misunderstood the definition of the word 'meritocracy'. The condition is not 'can you perform the task' but 'do you have the requisite (and very literal) merit (passed an exam, for example.)
Don't worry though - a lot of people make this mistake.
- pbhjpbhj 13y agoCouple of dictionary definitions for you [the first 2 on dictionary.com]: "mer·i·toc·ra·cy [mer-i-tok-ruh-see] Show IPA noun, plural mer·i·toc·ra·cies. 1. an elite group of people whose progress is based on ability and talent rather than on class privilege or wealth." "meritocracy (ˌmɛrɪˈtɒkrəsɪ) — n , pl -cies 1. rule by persons chosen not because of birth or wealth, but for their superior talents or intellect" You appear to be trolling me.
- kjjw 13y agoI am not trolling you. The word has been misused so much that it has now been incorrectly incorporated into dictionaries. See this article written by the man who coined the common usage of the term, bemoaning its now misuse: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/jun/29/comment http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/jun/29/comment "With an amazing battery of certificates and degrees at its disposal, education has put its seal of approval on a minority, and its seal of disapproval on the many who fail to shine from the time they are relegated to the bottom streams at the age of seven or before." So on.