> America became the first large-scale experiment of a society that could be called a meritocracy
Bit of a fail here. The word meritocracy comes from a book of the same title written in 1958 by Michael Young (interesting fella, wrote the UK Labour Party's manifesto in 1945, founded the Open University).
The point about meritocracy is that it is a satirical term. (The beauty of it being that in any society the wealthy and powerful can claim they rose on merit. In the time of the Divine Right Of Kings, merit was being chosen by God.)
But don't take my word for it, read Michael Young on the subject in 2001.
Comments
> America became the first large-scale experiment of a society that could be called a meritocracy
Bit of a fail here. The word meritocracy comes from a book of the same title written in 1958 by Michael Young (interesting fella, wrote the UK Labour Party's manifesto in 1945, founded the Open University).
The point about meritocracy is that it is a satirical term. (The beauty of it being that in any society the wealthy and powerful can claim they rose on merit. In the time of the Divine Right Of Kings, merit was being chosen by God.)
But don't take my word for it, read Michael Young on the subject in 2001.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2001/jun/29/comment