Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing
Meritocracy
noun
/ meh-rih-TOK-ruh-see /
Medium
Meaning
A system in which advancement, status, or reward is based on individual ability, effort, and achievement rather than on birth, wealth, or social class
Origin / Etymology
Latin meritum (merit) + Greek kratos (rule); coined by Michael Young in 1958 in satirical context
Synonyms
Ability-based system
Performance-based hierarchy
Antonyms
Aristocracy
Nepotism
Patronage system
Plutocracy
Example Sentence
"The civil services examination is upheld as a cornerstone of democratic meritocracy, but critics argue that social capital and coaching access effectively reproduce socioeconomic hierarchies."
🎯 UPSC Usage
GS4 (ethics) and GS2 (governance). UPSC essay on 'meritocracy vs equality of opportunity' is a classic topic. Key insight: meritocracy assumes a level playing field, but when starting points are unequal, meritocracy can legitimise inherited advantage. Reservation policy is a response to the failure of formal meritocracy for historically disadvantaged groups.
Relevant Subjects