[lostcolony]

I think viewing it as a pure good is the odd view. Most people recognize that, A. It's impossible (who is doing the evaluating?), B. That it leads to a single vision/set of experiences dominating, C. That it ultimately leads to dissatisfaction amongst the majority.

[tomp]

The way I understand and use the word meritocracy is as an opposition to nepotism (or other forms of favoritism) - i.e. promoting people because of who they are (founders/first/oldest/high-born/...), not because of what they do, as in meritocracy. As such, I see/use "meritocracy" as something purely positive.