Meritocracy

A meritocracy (Latin: meritum " merit " and Greek: κρατεῖν, kratein " reign ") is a system of rule, be at the officials ( rulers ) were selected based on their performance. Ideally, each member of society takes a well-deserved position.

The idea of meritocracy can be applied to states as well as in political or economic organizations. In an attenuated sense, also a form of government is called under meritocracy, emphasizes the expertise and formal training.

The meritocracy is contrary to the idea of egalitarianism, which awards to individuals regardless of performance and use the same influence and the same access to goods.

• 5.1 Singapore

Origin of the term

The term meritocracy was the first time in 1958 by Michael Young in his satire Rise of the Meritocracy ( German title: Long live the inequality: On the road to meritocracy ) are used. Young used the term to describe a future society in which the social position of the individual is through intelligence (as measured by the intelligence quotient ) and use determined. The utopian meritocratic society is evolving into an elite society whose leaders see themselves standing over the masses and ultimately deposed by force.

Evaluation of the idea

Regardless of the originally pejorative term education there was at all times and supporters meritocratic systems.

The idea that higher performance should be rewarded, underlies many meritocratic arguments. In addition, it is claimed that the meritocracy incentive offers to help build the society and therefore society as a whole is proven.

While the social position is historically handed down in the aristocracy, should be legitimized in the meritocracy exclusively by the current, individually measurable merit the status of a person. A privilege on the basis of origin, such as class and social class should be avoided as well here as a discrimination based on belonging to a religion, an ethnicity, or gender. The "ideal meritocracy " thus requires complete equality of opportunity, such as independence of the power of relationships, origin, etc., and socially effective recognition of factual differences in performance.

Critics, including Michael Young himself, see a meritocracy as unsuitable model for a stable society. Firstly, an objective and fair measure of " power " or " merit " is too difficult to establish positions for the assignment of individuals; there is even a risk that the elite the measure designed such that they legitimize themselves ( and their descendants). Then the company would at the oligarchy.

The Indian mystics Osho (1931-1990) took over the concept of meritocracy for his vision of a " New Man ". Only the best in their respective fields should therefore - be responsible in their field - delegated by colleagues. This should be valid win for all areas of coexistence. This " rule of the best " should overcome the current " power of the rulers ." True expertise is always in front of power politics of the elite.

" Democracy is not the highest goal. It is better than dictatorial regimes, it is better than monarchies, but it is not the end of the journey - Because democracy Means of basically government by the people, of the people, for the people, but the people are retarded. So let us say: government by the retarded, for the retarded, of the retarded. Democracy can not be the highest Possibility you can attain. It is good in comparison to other forms of government thathave Preceded it, but not 's something that can succeed it. I did call meritocracy. I want a government by the people of merit. And merit is a very rare quality. "

Application meritocratic principles

A completely meritocratic organized society has been realized anywhere. However, many modern forms of government emphasize the priority of formal training and expertise in conferring offices in relation to the membership of a particular group.

If use is made in the policy-making process on an evaluation by experts, or when military organizations use the merit principle to determine the chain of command, meritocratic principles are also used.

Science also refers to the meritocratic principle of selecting the best. Social science studies, for example, from the field of gender studies, however, have other hand, made ​​it clear that power can also be a result of social attribution processes in circumstances which may result in science and other areas of social life to ensure that women are discriminated against men.

In the work The Internet Galaxy by Manuel Castells, the thesis is established that among internet pioneers the meritocratic principle assumed a significant role in the breakdown. So enjoy those the most prestige, which are noticed by excellent performance and positive reputation, in terms of innovation in the field of network media. Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Ubuntu Linux distribution, also supports the development of Ubuntu on meritocracy system of decision-making and The Document Foundation, which developed the office suite LibreOffice, indicates to be a meritocratic organized Foundation, as well as the Apache Software Foundation.

Historical examples

Confucius

Western admirers of Confucius (Voltaire, HG Creel ) saw in his writings a revolutionary idea in the blood needle is replaced by that of virtue. A Jūnzǐ (君子) to translate approximately as " noble man " could be a simple man, who used his abilities. Confucius took students from every social class, an indication that he is not fully supported the feudal system of ancient China.

Chinese civil service exam

For a long time in the Middle Kingdom the existence of the Chinese civil service exam, the prerequisite to hold high offices of state may. Since candidates ( at least theoretically) could come from all strata of society, this strict testing system had a strong meritocratic train. Successful graduates (only a few thousand of the candidates prevailed ) normally acquired fame, power and prestige.

Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan has held senior positions in his Mongol Empire due to the performance of the public official. Even members of defeated enemies was open the way, as long as they declared themselves loyal. For example, Jebe was an enemy soldier who had shot horse in the battle of Genghis Khan, before he became Khan.

Napoleon

In the French Revolution, the elite was largely eliminated. Napoleon's regime could therefore no existing hierarchy fall back, but chose the new elite first for performance, but later also due to loyalty and kinship from.

Modern examples

Singapore

In the Republic of Singapore, the meritocracy is listed by the government as one of the fundamental principles of political control system and stressed vis. As such, all citizens should receive equal access to, for example, universities and government offices. The key to doing only services, may not be relations. In what way actually found this official principle of equal opportunities in Singapore, is controversial.