Meritocracy: Evolution, Crisis, and the Future of Capable Government

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the concept of meritocracy, tracing its path from Plato's ancient ideas and Chinese examination systems to contemporary challenges. Drawing on the work of Adrian Wooldridge, the author defines the rule of the able as a system based on the equation "IQ plus effort," which was intended to guarantee equitable social mobility. However, the text diagnoses a profound crisis of this idea, pointing to the phenomenon of "La Serrata"—the process of elites becoming closed off and meritocracy transforming into a new form of hereditary privilege. Through mechanisms such as assortative mating and procedural advantage, contemporary elites self-copy their status, limiting the opportunities of those outside the system. The analysis concludes with a reflection on the role of artificial intelligence in the future of talent selection and the question of the legitimacy of power in a world of growing cultural inequality.