Meritocracy is a system or model of ranking and awarding based on the personal merits of each individual.
The etymological origin of the word meritocracy comes from the Latin merit, which means “merit”, attached to the Greek suffix barnacle, which means “power”. Thus, the literal meaning of meritocracy would be “power of merit”.
According to the “pure” definition of meritocracy, the process of professional and social leverage is a consequence of each person's individual merits, that is, their efforts and dedication.
Hierarchical positions would be conditioned to people who have the best educational and moral values and specific and qualified technical or professional skills in a particular area.
This term was first used by Michael Young, in the book “Rise of the Meritocracy” (“Levantar da Meritocracy”, in Portuguese), published in 1958.
However, in this book by Young, merit is understood as a pejorative term, as it was related to the narration of a society that would be segregated based on two main aspects: intelligence (high IQ) and a high level of effort.
Another criticism leveled at meritocracy in this context would be the effective method of evaluating these “merits”.
The meritocratic reward system is widely applied by companies and private organizations, which value and reward professionals who present the best productions, either with salary increases or job offers superiors.
Meritocracy in companies is a way to motivate employees, who are dedicated to their functions in search of better opportunities as a consequence of the merits presented.
Criticism of meritocracy
Some sociologists, philosophers and intellectuals ignore meritocracy as a fair system of hierarchization, because the rise professional or social does not depend exclusively on individual effort, but also on the opportunities that each individual has throughout of life.
People who are born with better financial conditions, with access to the best educational institutions and contacts exclusive professionals, have greater chances of gaining a privileged position in relation to those who did not have this same “luck”.
However, obviously, it should not be generalized. It's no use having great opportunities in life, if there isn't the least effort and desire to take advantage of them.
The main criticism is that this effort is not the only factor that defines success or failure, but a part that encompasses more complex concepts that are present in societies.
Socialism and other ideologies that preach the concept of an egalitarian society are also opposed to meritocracy.
For this group, the idea of encouraging success based on individualism makes social inequality and "Social Darwinism" grow.
Learn more about the meaning of social inequality.
Meritocracy in Brazil
An example of a meritocratic method applied in Brazil is the holding of public examinations for the occupation of positions offered by the federal, state or municipal government.
Theoretically, only the most qualified people for those positions and functions would have the right to obtain the privileges of this position, that is, a reward earned for the merits presented.
However, in practice, meritocracy is impractical in its pure sense. Other hierarchical models end up influencing choices, in addition to issues related to social and economic inequalities.
Learn more about the meaning of other value systems that oppose meritocracy, such as Oligarchy, O Nepotism and the Aristocracy.