The idea of a merit-based society, where social status is determined by individual talent and achievements rather than by birth or wealth, has a long history, with roots tracing back to ancient Greece and China. While the concept has been idealized throughout history, its practical implementation and the very definition of “merit” have been subjects of ongoing debate and critique. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] 
Ancient Roots:

• Ancient Greece: The concept of a meritocracy, particularly the idea of philosopher-kings, was explored by Plato in his work The Republic. [2, 3] 
• Ancient China: The Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) implemented Confucian ideals that emphasized virtue and honesty, leading to the use of examinations to select government officials, a system that valued merit over inherited status. [1, 3] 

Historical Developments:

• Imperial Examinations in China: The Imperial Examination system in China, which began during the Sui Dynasty (581-618 AD), is a prominent example of a merit-based system that lasted for over a millennium. It allowed individuals from various social backgrounds to enter the government bureaucracy based on their performance on standardized exams, though it was not without its limitations and criticisms. [5, 7] 
• Napoleon’s Claim: Napoleon Bonaparte, during his exile, famously stated, “la carrière est ouverte aux talents” (“career open to talent”), highlighting his belief in a system where opportunity was based on ability rather than social standing. [8] 
• Modern Interpretations: The term “meritocracy” gained prominence in the 20th century, particularly after the publication of Michael Young’s satirical novel The Rise of the Meritocracy (1958), which critiqued the potential downsides of a society solely based on merit, especially the potential for social stratification and the perpetuation of inequality. [5, 9] 

Criticisms and Challenges:

• Reinforcing Inequality: Critics argue that meritocratic systems can inadvertently reinforce existing inequalities by favoring individuals from privileged backgrounds who have better access to resources and opportunities to develop the skills and qualities valued in such systems. [6, 6, 10, 10, 11, 11] 
• Subjectivity of Merit: The definition of “merit” itself can be subjective and influenced by social biases, leading to unequal recognition of contributions from different groups. [5, 5, 9, 9, 12, 13] 
• Focus on Individual Achievement: Some argue that meritocracy places too much emphasis on individual achievement, potentially overlooking the importance of social and structural factors in determining success. [6, 6, 10, 10] 
• Psychologizing Meritocracy: Some scholars have argued that meritocratic ideology can be used to justify existing social hierarchies and inequalities, masking the role of power and privilege. [14, 14] 

Contemporary Relevance:
Despite the criticisms, the ideal of a merit-based society remains influential, with many striving to create more equitable and opportunity-rich environments. Balancing the pursuit of merit with the need to address systemic inequalities remains a key challenge in contemporary discussions about social justice and equality. [6, 10, 15, 16] 

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritocracy[2] https://stetson.substack.com/p/a-history-of-meritocracy[3] https://www.nas.org/academic-questions/37/3/merit-exists-and-so-does-inequality[4] https://www.cis.org.au/publication/in-defence-of-meritocracy/[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myth_of_meritocracy[6] https://www.numberanalytics.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-meritocracy-in-social-theory[7] https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/meritocracy/[8] https://www.britannica.com/money/meritocracy[9] https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/oct/19/the-myth-of-meritocracy-who-really-gets-what-they-deserve[10] https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/01/the-myth-of-meritocracy-according-to-michael-sandel/[11] https://www.noemamag.com/the-dark-side-of-meritocracy/[12] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/meritocracy-myth-why-system-based-solely-merit-doesnt-holtz-scmp-fielc[13] https://www.reddit.com/r/monarchism/comments/ga972v/thoughts_on_a_merit_based_monarchy_rather_than/[14] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09593543211057098[15] https://constitutingamerica.org/90day-fp-principle-of-meritocracy-and-its-importance-within-the-framework-of-the-us-socio-economic-and-political-systems-guest-essayist-andrew-langer/[16] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/importance-meritocracy-workplace-finhubconcepts-tkecf