What are your thoughts on the meaning of meritocracy? Does it mean the power goes to those with superior intellects? Or...does it mean the belief that rulers should be chosen for their superior abilities and not because of their wealth or birth?

I saw it used recently, and when I looked it up, I saw those 2 meanings by WordNet. They seem very different to me. I guess I favor the former meaning, and yet I have known so many brilliant people with absolutely no people smarts.

To my mind the word "meritocracy" means people who have achieved their positions of eminence through ability in their fields of endevour.

Sadly I have discovered over many years of watching, that the ability is all too often that of self-promotion, not that of the field of endevour.

Politicians are the supreme example of this. Few of them have any ability other than that of getting themselves into positions of power and influence. Fortunately most of then are kept under some measure of control by the permanent civil service (or its equivalent) and don't usually manage to do too much damage (although sadly there are exceptions!)

I've seen the term used often in two areas:

1. - As an antonym for "aristocracy," meaning a system where the best of life doesn't necessarily go to those coming from the "best" families, and

2.- The U. S. Air Force where I was specifically told it doesn't exist. I had tried to give the most qualified person on my crew the job of trainer but was ordered instead to give it to my most-ranking underling, a person with just barely enough smarts to tear tickets at a local Tilt-a-Whirl. I was informed, "The Air Force is not a meritocracy!"

It means there are no political appointees. In a pure meritocracy, it probably also means there are no elections. The person who is best for the job gets the job. There is no affirmative action, no nespotism, etc.

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Originally posted by Seanahan:
It means there are no political appointees. In a pure meritocracy, it probably also means there are no elections. The person who is best for the job gets the job. There is no affirmative action, no nespotism, etc.

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If nespotism isn't a word, it certainly deserves to be.

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If nespotism isn't a word, it certainly deserves to be.

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Government by a despot's nephew, perhaps?

Well, I am the proud creator of a brand new word. When a despot puts his family in positions of authority, it is nespotism.

Best typo ever.

just barely enough smarts to tear tickets at a local Tilt-a-Whirl.

Now, that's good! It reminds me of someone's description once of a kid, "He'll be able to sell newspapers on the corner, but he'll never be able to make change!"

BTW, remember our discussion here about "egg corns?" Well, "nespotism" has 39 sites!