ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that a meritocracy is the most efficient way of producing goods and services. Meritocratic organization is a social organisation where those selected and appointed to work to produce goods and services are chosen on the basis of their capability to do the work required. A seniority system applying to people and work in an organisation effectively treats people as if they are unable to use judgement about work but are, instead, essentially extensions to machines but, unlike machines, improve as they age. The principle operating in many organisations is simply that some people are favoured above others for reasons other than merit. The chapter argues that a meritocracy is potentially the most efficient and effective way to organise to produce goods and services. It notes that it requires considered effort and courage to build one and that often other forms of organisation are woven into meritocracies making them hybrids (nepotism, seniority, democracy).
