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Noun: meritocracy  ,me-ree'tó-kru-see
  1. A form of social system in which power goes to those with superior intellects
    "The company claimed to be a meritocracy, promoting employees based solely on their abilities and achievements"
     
  2. The belief that rulers should be chosen for their superior abilities and not because of their wealth or birth
    "The company's commitment to meritocracy ensured that promotions were based on performance, not connections"

Derived forms: meritocracies

Type of: ideology, mythos, political orientation, political theory, social organisation [Brit], social organization, social structure, social system, structure

Encyclopedia: Meritocracy