[raxxorrax]

People like meritocracy because it simply appeals to the desire for fairness which luckily many people like very much. There is no further hypothesis needed to explain why some might like the idea. It doesn't have an inherit contradiction to a standpoint that the advancement of a society should be measured by how the weakest members are treated for example.

The hypothesis you linked can justify monarchies which meritocracy is intrinsically opposed to.

You can find inherent contradictions between freedom and equality for example, so a compromise is needed if you try to achieve both to a sufficient degree.

Social security has its dark sides in Europe and it isn't really clear what its future will look like with demographic problems. Is it better than the American model? I would enthusiastically say yes, but that is more due to corporate interest in medical fields in my opinion. Something the state might have difficulties to solve at this point.

But in many countries social security is in favor of older generations against younger ones. Still, it supplies aid where it is needed for now.

[simonh]

>..in many countries social security is in favor of older generations against younger ones...

Including in the US of course, in the form of Medicare. Which also disproportionately helps people already well off, because they survive longer and so benefit from it for longer.