In a nutshell: A form of government where your power or position is based on your ability or achievements. Like communism, this sounds really good on paper (or a computer screen).
Allow us to introduce you to the concept of a "meritocracy" - the closest thing
to a form of self-government we have. In The United Meritocratic nation-states
of the Internet, those who can do, rule. Those who wish to rule, learn.
Everyone else watches from the stands.
First you create a set of measures to define merit and then you promote those individuals which rate the highest on the measuring stick.
The term meritocracy gained strong usage in society with the wealthy after Michael Young's publishing of the book, The Rise of the Meritocracy.
This is my meritocratic measuring stick. It fits me perfectly and thus I am the greatest of you all.
Down with meritocracy
The man who coined the word four decades ago wishes Tony Blair would stop using it
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2001/jun/29/comment
A Marketing term for the promotion of sub-replacement level talent to maintain class and race based caste systems.
University Admission decisions are based on principles of meritocracy where the children of the affluent are able gain admission to prestigious schools through generous donations and/or legacy relationships.