Comment 120154

By kevlahan (registered) | Posted September 28, 2016 at 09:17:02 in reply to Comment 120153

I think the correct term is actually "meritocracy" (promotion or government based on ability) or "technocracy" (government by experts).

An aristocracy is actually the opposite of what Jason meant: ability or expertise has no bearing, those governing are chosen based entirely on who their ancestors were regardless of their qualifications!

(Interestingly, one of Napoleon's innovations was to promote officers based on proven ability, rather than class. This was an innovation in Europe where officers were chosen based on class and family connections. Eventually all other armies followed suit and the idea of promotion based on ability, or meritocracy, became the standard everywhere from business to civil services.)

Comment edited by kevlahan on 2016-09-28 09:17:37

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