In a meritocracy, what primarily determines an individual's success?

In a meritocracy, what primarily determines an individual's success?

• A. Family background and wealth
• B. Social connections and networking
• C. Abilities and personal effort
• D. Geographical location and opportunities

Answer: (C)

In a meritocracy, success is fundamentally determined by abilities and personal effort. This system is predicated on the belief that individuals can achieve success based on their skills, talents, and the work they put into developing and utilizing those attributes. The ethos of a meritocracy emphasizes equal opportunity, suggesting that every individual, regardless of their starting point in life, can succeed through hard work and dedication. This principle is aimed at fostering a competitive environment where people are rewarded not by privilege or connections but by their capabilities. For example, in a true meritocratic society, educational institutions and workplaces strive to evaluate individuals based on their performance, skills, and achievements rather than external factors such as family wealth or social networking. This creates a level playing field where success stems from individual merit, leading to social mobility and ideally reducing inequality.

In a meritocracy, success is fundamentally determined by abilities and personal effort. This system is predicated on the belief that individuals can achieve success based on their skills, talents, and the work they put into developing and utilizing those attributes. The ethos of a meritocracy emphasizes equal opportunity, suggesting that every individual, regardless of their starting point in life, can succeed through hard work and dedication. This principle is aimed at fostering a competitive environment where people are rewarded not by privilege or connections but by their capabilities.

For example, in a true meritocratic society, educational institutions and workplaces strive to evaluate individuals based on their performance, skills, and achievements rather than external factors such as family wealth or social networking. This creates a level playing field where success stems from individual merit, leading to social mobility and ideally reducing inequality.