What is a meritocracy?

A meritocracy is defined as a system in which individuals advance based on their abilities, talents, and achievements rather than on other factors such as personal connections, seniority, or political influence. This concept emphasizes fairness and equal opportunity, allowing individuals to succeed based on their merit, which is typically assessed through performance and competence.

In a meritocratic system, the goal is to create an environment where the best-qualified or most capable individuals can rise to positions of responsibility and leadership. This often involves objective criteria for evaluation, such as educational qualifications, work experience, and demonstrated performance outcomes. The underlying principle of meritocracy is that everyone should have a chance to succeed based on their own efforts and capabilities.

In contrast, the other options reflect systems that do not emphasize individual merit. They highlight factors such as governance structure, seniority, or relationships, which can detract from an individual's qualifications or achievements in determining advancement. This helps clarify why the focus on individual ability or achievement is the defining characteristic of a meritocratic system.