meritocracyn.
/ˌmɛrᵻˈtɒkrəsi/, U.S. /ˌmɛrəˈtɑkrəsi/ Government or the holding of power by people chosen on the basis of merit (as opposed to wealth, social class, etc.); a society governed by such people or in which such people hold power; a ruling, powerful, or influential class of educated or able people. Also in extended use.Originally spec. with reference to ‘merit’ as assessed by a competitive educational system.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > rule or government > rule of any class or persons > [noun] > of educated people
meritocracy1956
society > authority > rule or government > rule of any class or persons > ruling class or group > [noun] > of educated people
meritocracy1956
1956 A. Fox in Socialist Comm. May 13/1 The ‘meritocracy’; the society in which the gifted, the smart, the energetic, the ambitious and the ruthless are carefully sifted out and helped towards their destined positions of dominance.
1958 M. Young Rise of Meritocracy iv. 71 Before the meritocracy was fully established, age-stratification as a substitute for the hereditary order may have been necessary for the sake of social stability.
1961 Harper's Bazaar Feb. 56/1 The grammar schools..have given birth to a new class, the meritocracy.
1968 Economist 18 May 17/2 What are the effects of this system of mobile meritocracy..on France's industry and civil service?
1987 W. Greider Secrets of Temple i. ii. 71 Splendid proof of an American meritocracy—a culture that rewarded bright and ambitious people regardless of their origins.
1997 When Saturday Comes Jan. 4/1 Most of these points..are..incontrovertibly on the button if we want football to continue its march towards meritocracy.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1956