[gr8eman]

When it is dominant - although it begins with the idea of meritocracy - it usually slides into the mistaken identification of wealth as proof of merit and abandons the idea of noblesse oblige - which is necessary in any decent society - in favor of unfettered greed

Explain this to me! I think Gen-X'ers are also fed up with psychobabble! I know I am!

[liberallarry]

One favored group is replaced by another. The son-in-law replaces the black man. And so on. There's a reason why the Founders sought to prevent the re-establishment of a society of rentiers.

The most perfect meritocratic element of our society is professional sports. In that world a few superstars are showered with enormous wealth, a larger group make a decent living, and the remaining athletes of the world have to find some other way to survive. Without some form of redistribution - noblesse oblige or taxation or you name it - you'll get that kind of distribution over much of society.