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Do you believe in meritocracy? Why or why not? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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This is the definition I am using:

a system, organization, or society in which people are chosen and moved into positions of success, power, and influence on the basis of their demonstrated abilities and merit.

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[–] Viking_Hippie 41 points 10 months ago (1 children)

It's a good idea in theory, but there's a few problems:

Wealth and power above a certain level tends to become generational no matter how meritorious the origin
People who are less capable through disability, ilness, generational poverty or anything else not their fault would still be left behind
A lot of jobs and other functions can benefit from several different skillsets, some of which aren't mutually inclusive
Who decides who's best? Who decides who decides? Etc ad infinitum.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago

Regarding wealth, it doesn’t have to with a heavy enough estate tax, AKA anti-aristocracy tax.