meritocrats
Skill-based power holders
Meritocrats are people who hold power or influence based on their abilities and achievements rather than inherited status or connections.
The term can be neutral, describing those who've risen through demonstrated competence, or critical, suggesting elites who believe their success proves their superiority: The meritocrats running Silicon Valley assume everyone else just didn't work hard enough.
Rule by the rich
- oligarchyRule by few
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- inequalityUnequal distribution of resources
privilege · exclusivity · entitlement · stratification · technocracy · gatekeeping · credentialism · ivory tower
Skill from extensive practice
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- talentInborn aptitude
- skillAcquired ability through practice
- masteryComplete skill or control
aptitude · capability · intelligence · knowledge · ability · qualifications · training · education
Successful completion of aim
- successFavorable outcome attained
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- attainmentSuccessful reaching of goal
- qualificationRequired skill or condition
credential · recognition · distinction · promotion · performance · evaluation · assessment · ranking
Ability to direct others
- technocratsExpert-led administrators
- bureaucratsAdministrative government employees
- administratorsPeople overseeing operations
- policymakersOfficials who create rules
officials · managers · executives · decision-makers · planners · regulators · appointees · civil servants
plutocracy
Rule by the rich
- oligarchyRule by few
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
inequality · privilege · exclusivity · entitlement · stratification · technocracy · gatekeeping · credentialism · ivory tower · establishment
expertise
Skill from extensive practice
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- talentInborn aptitude
- skillAcquired ability through practice
mastery · aptitude · capability · intelligence · knowledge · ability · qualifications · training · education · specialization
accomplishment
Successful completion of aim
- successFavorable outcome attained
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- attainmentSuccessful reaching of goal
qualification · credential · recognition · distinction · promotion · performance · evaluation · assessment · ranking · competition
leadership
Ability to direct others
- technocratsExpert-led administrators
- bureaucratsAdministrative government employees
- administratorsPeople overseeing operations
policymakers · officials · managers · executives · decision-makers · planners · regulators · appointees · civil servants · experts
meritocratsaristocrats
Hereditary ruling class
heirs · nepotists · dynasts · blue bloods · patricians
meritocratsegalitarians
Advocates for equal rights
levelers · traditionalists · fatalists · determinists · social conservatives