"Today we frankly recognize that democracy can be no more than aspiration, and have rule not so much by the people as by the cleverest people; not an aristocracy of birth, not a plutocracy of wealth, but a true meritocracy* of talent."

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Political novelsSatire booksDystopian novelsEnglish novels
Original Language: English

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The origin of this unpleasant term, like that of 'equality of opportunity' is still obscure. It seems to have been first generally used in the 60s of the last century in small-circulation journals attached to the Labour Party, and gained wide currency much later on. — Notes - p.153.