This whole debate is the conflation of proximate causes and antecedent causes.
If the most skilled person gets hired, is that an example of meritocracy?
According to some people's definition - those who emphasize the proximate cause of the decision - yes, this is absolutely a meritocracy.
According to others, no, it isn't, because of the genetic lottery and other antecedent causes outside of the control of the hiree.
Who is right here? The answer is that both parties are right. They don't disagree on the underlying reality. They just disagree on what aspects of that reality the word "meritocracy" should refer to.
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This whole debate is the conflation of proximate causes and antecedent causes. If the most skilled person gets hired, is that an example of meritocracy?
According to some people's definition - those who emphasize the proximate cause of the decision - yes, this is absolutely a meritocracy.
According to others, no, it isn't, because of the genetic lottery and other antecedent causes outside of the control of the hiree.
Who is right here? The answer is that both parties are right. They don't disagree on the underlying reality. They just disagree on what aspects of that reality the word "meritocracy" should refer to.