Meritocracy
I came across a new word today: meritocracy.
1. A system in which advancement is based on individual ability or achievement.
2. a. A group of leaders or officeholders selected on the basis of individual ability or
achievement.
b. Leadership by such a group.
It put a whole new spin on my view of education. I was reading an article in Newsweek which compared the educational systems of Eastern Asia to the U.S. It claims that the Asian countries far exceed the U.S. in mathematics and sciences, however, these talented students do not do much with it. The difference: motivation.
This lead me to consider motivating factors in my education, and further, my faith. America is a place were achievements drive and abilities steer our paths. This has been the ethos with which most of our advancements occurred. It is a good thing for our country, our education, our everyday life. It is a bad thing for our faith.
This same system that drives America is not one that can be turned off at will, it is an ever present blessing and curse that Americans all exhibit in some degree. Sadly it carries over into our churches and our personal faith. We strive to do the next best thing for God. Much of contemporary piety (if there even is such a thing) is driven by this ambition. Others in the past have called it works.
It is a sad reminder that America is a meritocracy, especially in our churches. What we should seek after is a Theocracy.
1. A system in which advancement is based on individual ability or achievement.
2. a. A group of leaders or officeholders selected on the basis of individual ability or
achievement.
b. Leadership by such a group.
It put a whole new spin on my view of education. I was reading an article in Newsweek which compared the educational systems of Eastern Asia to the U.S. It claims that the Asian countries far exceed the U.S. in mathematics and sciences, however, these talented students do not do much with it. The difference: motivation.
This lead me to consider motivating factors in my education, and further, my faith. America is a place were achievements drive and abilities steer our paths. This has been the ethos with which most of our advancements occurred. It is a good thing for our country, our education, our everyday life. It is a bad thing for our faith.
This same system that drives America is not one that can be turned off at will, it is an ever present blessing and curse that Americans all exhibit in some degree. Sadly it carries over into our churches and our personal faith. We strive to do the next best thing for God. Much of contemporary piety (if there even is such a thing) is driven by this ambition. Others in the past have called it works.
It is a sad reminder that America is a meritocracy, especially in our churches. What we should seek after is a Theocracy.
posted by Madison | 10:30 AM
1 Comments:
Good post Madison. Meritocracy and the Debtor's Ethic: The Modern Ways of Salvation.
Theocracy? on earth?
Do you think that will happen before the second coming?
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