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Mediocracy vs Meritocracy - What's the difference?

mediocracy | meritocracy |

As nouns the difference between mediocracy and meritocracy

is that mediocracy is a social hierarchy in which the mediocre prevails while meritocracy is rule by merit, and talent. By extension, now often used to describe a type of society where wealth, income, and social status are assigned through competition.

mediocracy

English

Noun

(wikipedia mediocracy)
  • (informal) A social hierarchy in which the mediocre prevails.

    • See also

    * dumb down * idiocracy

    meritocracy

    English

    (wikipedia meritocracy)

    Noun

    (meritocracies)
  • Rule by merit, and talent. By extension, now often used to describe a type of society where wealth, income, and social status are assigned through competition.

    • Usage notes

    Though widely used as a term of praise, Meritocracy's Lab Rat, by Timothy Noah the term was original coined as a satire, and a critique of awarding educational achievement.

    Derived terms

    * meritocrat * meritocratic

    References

    English words suffixed with -cracy