Meritocratic Social Structure
Meritocratic social structure involves a system whereby movement in upward class mobility is achieved through hard work and talent (Young 1994, p.87). Capitalist countries are known to have a meritocratic social structure in which success is based on an individual's effort. The opposite of a meritocratic social structure is aristocracy. In countries such as Britain which historically have been known to have an aristocratic system, people advance in their social status based on families and other relations.
History of Great Britain
From the history of Great Britain, the social structure of Great Britain was known to be purely aristocratic. Aristocracy was practiced in all social and political spheres. For example, the prince inherited the throne of his father after the death of the father. Many scholars such as William have documented how status in Great Britain was obtained through lordship, wealth, and closeness to the king. It was evident that people who were born from poor families had almost 100% assurance that they might not move up the social class ladder (MOORE2010, p.525).
Contemporary Political Structure
The aristocratic system in Britain is evident in its contemporary political structure. The current structure of the government in Britain is monarchical in which the prime minister heads the state and selects other ministers. The Queen of England's position is hereditary and is passed down from one generation to the next. For example, if the current Queen of England dies, the person who takes the position of the queen will have to come from the queen's family. Some of the demerits that have been attached to the lack of a meritocratic system in Britain include poor governance whereby the people who inherit the throne take it for granted.
Importance of Meritocracy
Scholars such Aristotle said that lack of meritocracy makes people get the position that they are not competent in, hence, they never perform. This is because they do not feel privileged to have gotten the position. Contrary to historical Great Britain, modern Britain has been able to make great progress in terms of appreciating the effort and letting other people excel irrespective of their backgrounds. When it comes to the argument as to whether contemporary Britain is adopting meritocracy, different scholars have different views. According to many scholars, education is one of the factors that are attached to meritocracy in most societies.
Impact of Education
This is because education offers a competitive advantage in which an individual succeeds through skills and impact. However, according to the research done by Spyros Themelis, it is evidenced that an increase in education for over the last decades has not played a major role in eliminating class difference and the privileges that come with it (Themelis 2008, p.430). Different research done by different researchers in Britain have shown that individuals who come from different social classes and go to the same school are likely to end up having different earnings even if they pursue the same course.
Unequal Opportunities and Networking
For example, if two people did engineering at the University of Harvard, one person comes from a poor family and the other person comes from a rich family, the person coming from a rich family is likely to earn 20% more than the person coming from the poor family. This happens even if the two individuals have the same level of experience. Apart from the difference in salary, studies have shown that people who come from lordship or wealthy families have the right networks to help them get a job faster than their counterparts from poor families who will make 1000 applications before they can get a job.
Progress and Social Mobility
A study done by Peter Saunders showed that there has been great progress concerning Britain adopting meritocracy even though upward social mobility decreases with generation (Saunders 1995, p.34). According to the study carried out on middle-aged people, it was verified that currently, the young generation is likely to experience less favorable conditions compared to the generation of their parents and grandparents. This means that the young generations have higher chances of facing downward social mobility compared to the older generation because hard work and ambition are not paying.
Recognition of Progress
Even though most scholars think that aristocracy is still part and parcel of contemporary Britain, there are other writers who have recognized that Britain has made much progress. This is not only in the economic sphere but also in political spheres. According to some scholars, the social structure of Britain has changed a lot in an effort to adopt a meritocratic social structure. Though it is evident that good jobs land into the hand of people who know other people, there are various individuals who have come from poor families and have succeeded. However, it depends on determination and self-discipline in order for someone to succeed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to note that contemporary Britain has a long way to go in order for its society to fully adopt the meritocratic system. Just as many scholars have written that Rome was not built in one day, Britain should be recognized for the few steps that it has taken to prove that hard work and ambitions can pay irrespective of one's background.
References
MOORE, J. (2010). The world before Domesday: the English aristocracy, 900-1066 - By Ann Williams. The Economic History Review, 63(2), pp.524-525.
Themelis, S. (2008). Meritocracy through education and social mobility in post‐war Britain: a critical examination. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 29(5), pp.427-438.
Young, M. (1994). Meritocracy revisited. Society, 31(6), pp.87-89.
Saunders, P. (1995). Might Britain be a Meritocracy?. Sociology, 29(1), pp.23-41.
