This is the definition I am using:

a system, organization, or society in which people are chosen and moved into positions of success, power, and influence on the basis of their demonstrated abilities and merit.

  • teawrecks
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    2
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    10 months ago

    Meritocracy just means you’re rewarded proportionally to your contribution. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re rewarded with authority over anyone.

    • intensely_human@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      10 months ago

      Actually the “cracy” suffix does refer specifically to the distribution of authority. Democracy is a system in which people decide; not just one in which people do well. Aristocracy is where those people are the deciders, not just where they’re the most wealthy.

      • teawrecks
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        10 months ago

        A fair point. I guess I’m used to it being used incorrectly then.