meritocratic
Rewards the deserving
Meritocratic describes a system where advancement depends on ability and achievement rather than wealth, connections, or inherited status.
A meritocratic workplace promotes based on performance; a meritocratic society rewards talent and effort.
The word often carries idealistic overtones—critics argue that supposedly meritocratic systems still favor the privileged: The tech industry claims to be meritocratic, but nepotism thrives.
Successful completion of aim
- excellenceOutstanding quality or merit
- talentInborn aptitude
- skillAcquired ability through practice
- competenceAdequate ability to function
ability · qualification · performance · advancement · recognition · credentials · distinction · mastery
Preference for privileged rule
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
- exclusivityState of being limited
- gatekeepingControlling access to something
- credentialismOvervaluing formal qualifications
inequality · nepotism · bias · barriers · systemic · technocracy · oligarchy · socioeconomic
Impartial treatment or ownership value
- justiceFair treatment under law
- impartialityFreedom from prejudice
- objectivityFreedom from personal bias
- equal-opportunityTreating all candidates identically
transparency · accountability · unbiased · non-discriminatory · evenhandedness · standardized · access · mobility
Determining worth or quality
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- hiringGiving someone work
- admissionEntry or confession
- rankingOrdered position assignment
screening · criteria · standards · testing · examination · vetting · recruitment · placement
accomplishment
Successful completion of aim
- excellenceOutstanding quality or merit
- talentInborn aptitude
- skillAcquired ability through practice
competence · ability · qualification · performance · advancement · recognition · credentials · distinction · mastery · proficiency
elitism
Preference for privileged rule
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
- exclusivityState of being limited
- gatekeepingControlling access to something
credentialism · inequality · nepotism · bias · barriers · systemic · technocracy · oligarchy · socioeconomic · plutocracy
equity
Impartial treatment or ownership value
- justiceFair treatment under law
- impartialityFreedom from prejudice
- objectivityFreedom from personal bias
equal-opportunity · transparency · accountability · unbiased · non-discriminatory · evenhandedness · standardized · access · mobility · inclusivity
evaluation
Determining worth or quality
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- hiringGiving someone work
- admissionEntry or confession
ranking · screening · criteria · standards · testing · examination · vetting · recruitment · placement · scoring
meritocraticnepotistic
Showing favoritism toward relatives
hereditary · aristocratic · plutocratic · feudal · nonmeritocratic
meritocraticelitist
One favoring the privileged
exclusionary · privileged · rigged · corrupt · discriminatory