Meritocracy, an essential integral part of Malta’s political and social culture, has of late seen some debate over its application. Meritocracy is often conveniently confused with trustworthiness.

In my opinion there is no better option in today’s world: “If we are not going on merit, what are we going to look at?”

The term meritocracy may be understood broadly as a system that rewards an individual’s merit with social, economic and even political accolades and rewards. The system hence accords all qualified individuals a fair and equal chance of being successful based on their own capabilities. In a more limited political sense, a meritocracy describes a style of governance where the political system selects the most educated and capable personnel to rule: an “aristocracy of talent”.

A meritocratic system is coupled with the principle of non-discrimination, in which merit and talent alone determine selection.

It is a social system that gives the greatest power and highest social positions to people with the most ability.

In a business context, a meritocracy is a community in which leadership is based on capability, where people are positioned and recognised because they have the right character, skills and behaviour, not because they fit any gender or ethnic stereotype. The challenge for many joint stock corporations is the overwhelming bias towards the promotion of privilege and entitlement, driven by greed and ego. We might call this a form of corporate aristocracy and this certainly chimes with the debate around boardroom pay.

A meritocratic business offers a truly diverse, engaged and inclusive workforce. Responsibilities are based on talent, and leadership reflects a healthy balance of age, gender and ethnicity. People are hired for their character and skills and, in turn, are nurtured and developed so that every colleague is well equipped to fulfil his or her responsibilities, ultimately leading to a more capable, effective, respected and inclusive business that attracts and retains the best customers and colleagues.

It cannot be denied that there are fundamental benefits to a meritocratic system. Meritocracy advocates fierce competition which pushes people to achieve the best that they can, regardless of class, race, creed or political allegiance. 

A history of meritocratic success in turn creates a social culture in which individuals are driven to work beyond their comfort levels and in a resourceful fashion, within sight of opportunities to rise above their socio-economic class. In a country bereft of natural resources, dependent solely upon its population, such a system is paramount in achieving economic progress.

We must account for the widening gaps of inequality that meritocracy creates without destroying the competitive environment that meritocracy offers. More effort must be made to ensure that while everyone races for the finishing line, the starting point becomes more equal. It means, for example, ensuring that children compete in our schools on a more equal footing.

To revisit the earlier analogy, what should count is not just about the starting point or the finishing line, but the way in which the race is run. It should be fair, transparent and open to all.

Meritocracy in Malta has, over the years, become an increasingly complicated ideology in a small EU state. While Malta must retain the broad concept of meritocracy in terms of non-discrimination and the offer of equal opportunity, it must also tackle the inequalities that the system currently fails to understand.

In his political satire Animal Farm, George Orwell writes: “All animals are equal but others are more equal than others”. It is a cynical prophecy that Malta’s meritocracy must strive to avoid.

The most successful businesses and countries in this century will not be led by a narrow aristocracy of people belonging to a particular political party or social class but by a diverse and vibrant community of people that reflects our global village and best brains.

We all have a part to play in improving meritocracy in our country. As individuals, we need to stop expecting shortcuts. We need to learn to reject rewards we have not earned. When somebody asks us something we do not know, we need to be confident enough to say so and suggest someone who might. We should be bold enough to make way for younger, more prepared individuals to replace us. Because all honest people want a meritocracy, and the only way we can have one is by being brave enough to believe it can actually happen. If we keep acting like a country of frauds who would be thrown out, were it not for the self-aggrandisement and our politicising, we will have exactly that type of country.