Meritocracy

[,merɪ'tɒkrəsɪ] or ['mɛrɪ'tɑkrəsi]

(noun.) the belief that rulers should be chosen for their superior abilities and not because of their wealth or birth.

(noun.) a form of social system in which power goes to those with superior intellects.

校对:雷明顿--From WordNet